Into the Deep Water -- Autism

James Mulick, professor of pediatrics and psychology at Ohio State University says “there's no cure for autism, and many parents are willing to believe anything if they come to think it could help their child.”

Autism is certainly one of the most mystifying and challenging disabilities for both researchers and practitioners. With so many “fad” treatments popping up every day, how can parents, administrators, and teachers know where to find an effective, research-based intervention that will actually help a child?

Mulick, who chaired a symposium on “Outrageous Developmental Disorder Treatments at the American Psychological Association annual meeting last year, says Early Intensive Behavioral Intervention is the only therapy shown to have long-term positive effects.
As Mulick said in this article in Ohio State’s Research Communications, “EIBI is a highly structured approach to learning, in which children with autism are taught first to imitate their teachers. But this treatment is very time-consuming and labor intensive. It involves one-on-one behavioral treatment with the child for up to 40 hours a week for several years.”

So with so many “snake oil” solutions out there, and only one legit approach available at an astronomical expense, where can educators and parents turn for information?

I’ve found a couple of places to turn, but I’d love to hear from others who have experience swimming in these waters.

Here’s what I’ve found:

• Educating Children with Autism and Pervasive Developmental Disorder. www.autismweb.com/education.htm
• Educating Children with Autism. www.nap.edu/catalog/10017.html

Has anybody used these resources? What did you think of them? Have you implemented a research-based program effectively? What made it effective? If it wasn't effective, why not? If you're a parent, have you found any particularly successful strategies?