Strategies for Supporting Young Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders

Strategies for Supporting Young Children Proactive Strategies SocialCommunicationSensory

Goals for Training Introduce good general strategies for addressing:  Everyday situations (proactive strategies)  Communication  Early social and play skills  Sensory Issues

Goals for Training Guide assessment of young children and their needs so that you can respond strategically Remain neutral and avoid discussing specific interventions that require much more intensive training

Training Development This training was developed by the Virginia Autism Council, a state- wide council representing a wide community of stakeholders, envisioning individuals with autism fully participating in every aspect of society.

Virginia Autism Council The Council believes that individuals with ASDs are supported by an individualized focus on their particular strengths and needs using effective strategies.

What are “Strategies”? A set of tactics or approaches - a plan Tools to solve problems Not the answer to everything or for every situation, but the way to find an answer

We Can Not... Teach you every strategy for every situation Teach you specific strategies that require many days of training - Applied Behavior Analysis - Positive Behavior Support

We Can Not... Teach you specific strategies that are ‘owned’ by particular organizations –Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) –Social Stories Teach you specific methods often used with young children –Floortime –Relationship Development Intervention

We Can... Teach you ways to think about situations so that you can begin to formulate your own strategies Teach you sound, evidence-based strategies that support most young children with ASD

We Can... Help you make a difference in the lives of young children with ASD

Our General Approach 1.Briefly describe the challenges for young children with ASDs related to the topic 2.Discuss how to informally assess the child’s strengths and needs 3.Explore strategies to address the child’s needs

Autism Spectrum Disorder Pervasive Developmental Disorder Asperger’s Syndrome Classic Autism Autism What is it?

Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders – 5 th Edition Autism Spectrum Disorder = Classic Autism, Asperger’s Syndrome, Pervasive Developmental Disorder-Not-otherwise Specified

DSM-IV, TR Communication Social Interaction Patterns of Behavior DSM-5 Social Communication Patterns of Behavior Sensory

A. Social Communication (must meet all 3 criteria) Social Reciprocity Nonverbal Communication Age Referenced Relationships B. Restricted/Repetitive Behavior (must meet 2 of the 4 criteria) Repetitive SpeechRepetitive RoutinesRestricted Interests Hypo/Hyper Reactive to Sensory Input

Level 1: Requiring support Social Communication Restricted/ Repetitive Behavior Level 2: Requiring substantial support Social Communication Restricted/ Repetitive Behavior Level 3: Requiring very substantial support Social Communication Restricted/ Repetitive Behavior

Goals for This Training Address: Everyday situations (proactive strategies) Sensory issues Communication Socialization

Characteristics Web Characteristics of ASD Communication 1. _________________________ 2. _________________________ 3. __________________________ 4. __________________________ Social 1. _________________________ 2. _________________________ 3. __________________________ 4. __________________________ Restrictive and Repetitive Patterns of Behavior 1. _________________________ 2. _________________________ 3. __________________________ 4. __________________________

Characteristics Identification Social interaction Communication Restricted and repetitive patterns of behavior

The Power of Words