Supporting and treating families with children on the autistic spectrum: The unique role of the generalist psychologist.

Abstract

Research findings indicate that intensive behavior therapy (e.g., applied behavioral analysis, or ABA) represents an effective treatment for autistic spectrum disorders. Unfortunately, children with autism represent an underserved patient population. Parents often make treatment decisions with insufficient information and report problems in establishing and maintaining treatment programs. This practice review asserts that psychologists, including those without professional certification or coursework in ABA, are in a unique position to assist affected children and their families. Psychologists can provide critical information about evidence-based treatment; offer assistance in overcoming barriers to intensive treatment, including personnel selection; and provide ongoing support to family members. Case examples also illustrate how psychologists can help families address specific barriers to intensive treatment. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved).

Brief Education About Autism Spectrum Disorders for Family Therapists

“…Dealing with an ASD is often frustrating and baffling to parents due to the chronic, pervasive, and multifaceted nature of these disorders. Parents often are required to make treatment decisions without sufficient information, and many parents have problems in finding and maintaining treatment programs (Hillman, 2006). Family therapists who are aware of the symptoms and treatments of these disorders can play an important role in facilitating detection of ASDs and in helping to ease stress and improve functioning for individuals with ASDs and their families.…”

“…Applied behavior analysis (ABA) is accepted as an effective treatment for autism (Hillman, 2006;NIMH, 2009). It is an intensive behavioral method that reinforces desired behaviors and extinguishes unwanted ones.…”

Supporting Families Dealing with Autism and Asperger's Disorders

“…The first and most pressing need is for reliable information about ASDs, especially those whose children are newly diagnosed (Hillman, 2006). Family therapists can play an important role in providing education for parents of children with an ASD and in linking parents to other knowledgeable professionals.…”

“…Parents' involvement in this treatment has long been advocated (Benson, Karlof, & Siperstein, 2008), and more programs for children with autism are training parents to do this therapy at home (NIMH, 2009). Behavioral interventions are also effective in reducing repetitive and restricted behaviors (Hillman, 2006).…”

L’Intervention Comportementale Intensive, une affaire de famille ? Analyse du regard que posent les mères d’enfants autistes sur leurs intervenantes

“…Par ailleurs, selon Elfert et Miranda (2006), les intervenantes des programmes d'ICI mentionnent éprouver des difficultés à maintenir un rôle de professionnel auprès des familles, car elles sont appelées à entrer dans leur intimité en travaillant à leur domicile pendant plusieurs heures. Dans le même ordre d'idée, Hillman (2006) souligne qu'un des problèmes pouvant être vécus par les familles recevant des services d'ICI est que des limites floues s'établissent entre les professionnels, les intervenantes et les membres de la famille. Ces études font donc état d'un certain nombre de difficultés liées au rôle des intervenantes dans les programmes d'ICI.…”