Re:CBT for Severe Autism

I hadn't read anything about CBT for autistic adults either, but I did a little research and discovered that CBT is used with autism. For example:

Quinn, C.; Swaggart, B. L.; Myles, B. S. (1994). Implementing cognitive behavior management programs for persons with autism: Guidelines for practitioners. Focus on Autistic Behavior, 9, 1-13. ABSTRACT: Reviews 10 studies conducted over the past 5 yrs to determine the effectiveness of cognitive behavior management (CBM) for persons with traditional autism or higher functioning autistic disorder. The 3 general stages of CBM include pretraining preparation, training (discrimination training, self-management implementation, and treatment withdrawal), and generalization. Autistic students are taught to maintain a record of on-task behavior, using CBM, to help them complete academic and vocational assignments with a minimum of teacher supervision. Prior to training a student in the CBM strategy, the teacher must target the problem area, identify reinforcers (typically social, contingent activities, or tangible/edible items), and prepare materials (i.e., a timing device, data collection sheet, and self-management tools).

However, the use of CBT with autism is a topic which most CBT practitioners are not familiar with. Rather that looking for a CBT practitioner and hoping that they can work with an autistic adult, it may work better to look for a practioner who has experience working with autistic adults and seeing if he or she is acquainted with CBT.

Replies:

Agreed., by Willie Deuel, 07/25/00

| Behavior OnLine Home Page | Disclaimer |

Copyright © 1996-2004 Behavior OnLine, Inc. All rights reserved.