Autism and Select

Alternative
Therapies
Steven Rockey
Wake Forest
University
November 5, 2012
Autism Relevance Today
No real conclusive scientific evidence
for its cause as well as no end-all-be-
all cure
Some place the number of children
diagnosed as high as 1 in 88 (Bratton,
Ray, Rhine, & Jones, 2005)
Defining Autism A Complex
Disorder
Autism, as defined by the American
Psychological Associations DSM-IV-
TR (2000) is described as a disorder
manifesting itself through three
different areas
Social Interaction
Impairment in Communication
Repetitive and Stereotyped Patterns of
Behavior
Methodology
Use of the Z. Smith Reynolds Librarys
website.
Particularly, I used two databases found
on the website: ERIC (the Educational
Resource Information Center) and
PsycINFO.
Basic search keywords used included,
autism and alternative therapies,
autism interventions, autism treatment
and varying combinations of those terms.
I also limited results based on year (the
year 2000 to the present).
Results How Do Parents
Choose?
Parents are not only faced with the
challenging task of dealing with their childs
diagnosis but also are barraged with sources
innumerable detailing on what treatments
work (Ayres & Robbins, 2005)
The most popular of these included Autism
books, professionals other than medical
doctors, and other parents.
As a whole, parents seem to be more
influenced by anecdotal reports and word of
mouth referrals than from scientific sources
of research support (Miller et al., 2012, p.
94).
Select Therapies CBT
CBT can be very effective for children with
Autism in that it focuses on real, observable,
and changeable behavior and attempts to
change it from the inside out.
Many different CBT techniques are also
pretty well scientifically validated and backed
up, lending to its strength. However, these
specific therapies are usually only used for
higher functioning cases, limiting its potential
to be used across the board.
With these factors in mind, CBT is generally
seen as well validated, very applicable, and
useful for many
Select Therapies Play
Therapy
Play therapy is strong in that it naturally meets
children where they are and is definitely
developmentally appropriate (Parker & OBrien,
2011).
Even more so, play therapy lends itself to being
successful with Autism in that it can address
issues from another angle (play rather than
directly verbal) and is just one more way of
getting through to someone with communication
barriers.
These strengths have been particularly difficult to
scientifically verify, however, and much more
research is needed to contribute to its
effectiveness.
Select Therapies Sensory
Integration
SIT is one of the more popular therapies
and interventions, yet is met with mixed
review.
Also key is how the therapy seems to be
less practical and more lofty in
promoting real-world improvement. The
previous theories mentioned seemed to
foster more of a real-world approach in
helping people seek a sense of normalcy
in life; this seems to be less so.
Nonetheless, many parents seek out SIT
due to its popularity and the potential for
improved sensory functioning.
Discussion
Learning about a parent sifting
through noise and coming to a
specific therapy was key
There are over 30 various therapies
and interventions out there. . .
I went over some of the more popular
ones and ones of personal interest,
but this doesnt mean those are the
only ones effective

Conclusion
Parents must endure not only the
diagnosis but decide upon the best
therapy for their child out of 30+
Each of the select therapies (Play,
CBT, and Sensory Integration) has
pros and cons and may work for some
but not for others
E.g. a popular therapy may not prove
effective for everyone
Ideas for Further Research
Really would like to see more
research done comparing therapies to
each other rather than to no
therapy/intervention at all
As a whole, much more research
needs to be done to hone in on whats
most effective or, even better, on
what characteristics are most
important in an intervention/therapy


References
Ayres, A. J., & Robbins, J. (2005). Sensory integration and
the child: Understanding hidden sensory challenges. Los
Angeles, CA: Western Psychological Services.
Bratton, S. C., Ray, D., Rhine, T., & Jones, L. (2005). The
efficacy of play therapy with children: A meta-analytic review
of treatment outcomes. Professional Psychology: Research
and Practice, 36(4), 376.
Miller, V. A., Schreck, K. A., Mulick, J. A., & Butter, E. (2012).
Factors related to parents choices of treatments for their
children with autism spectrum disorders. Research in Autism
Spectrum Disorders, 6(1), 8795.
doi:10.1016/j.rasd.2011.03.008
Wood, J. J., Drahota, A., Sze, K., Har, K., Chiu, A., & Langer,
D. A. (2009). Cognitive behavioral therapy for anxiety in
children with autism spectrum disorders: a randomized,
controlled trial. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry,
50(3), 224234. doi:10.1111/j.1469-7610.2008.01948.x