Treating Autism. ABA, Teacch, Floortime, and Service

¶ … treating autism. ABA, TEACCH, Floortime, and service dog intervention are the methodologies reviewed.

Autism

Applied Behavioral Analysis, TEACCH, and Floortime are the three teaching strategies discussed in the assigned videos. Though the methods vary, each one is designed to help children with autism learn. According to AutismSpeaksVid, Applied Behavioral Analysis is a process which entails prompting a desired response, getting a correct response, and providing a positive reinforcement once the desired response has been completed (2008). TEACCH is a systematic approach to providing visual structure in the learning environment to facilitate ease of learning for the autistic pupil, also according to AutismSpeaksVid (2008). Floortime is yet another method used in the education process for the autistic which entails interacting with the child at his or her level, doing what he or she does naturally and incorporating that into a learning opportunity, according to Dr. Greenspan (2008).

The Applied Behavioral Analysis video was at first offensive. It appeared that the pupil was being treated like a dog in training. However, upon further reflection, it seemed natural to teach using a reward method. After all, everyone performs better when there is a desired objective met upon mastery of something. Athletes compete for the opportunity to be number one in a sport (obtain the blue ribbon, gold medal, etc.). Academics strive to master their chosen field of study. Marksmen spend hours perfecting their ability to hit a desired target.

The video TEACCH (Treatment and Education of Autistic and Related Communication Handicapped Children) was extremely informative and made sense from the beginning. It stressed the fact that autistic children learn better visually and therefore strives to create a learning environment filled with visual cues. These cues include schedules, room settings, work stations, and various other things involved in a teaching environment. According to this video, this method may be incorporated with any other methodology. The fact that this method may be used in conjunction with other methods makes it a desirable tool in enhancing the learning experience of the autistic child (2008).

Floortime strikes one as an intuitive method, upon listening to Dr. Greenspan. It just seems natural to interact with any child in his or her environment with objects that the child enjoys. This method is a feel good method and can not help but engage the child as he or she is able to interact doing things that he or she enjoys. By its nature, it is meant to be fun and enjoyable and therefore, makes it easy to incorporate learning situations.. Floortime can obviously be employed along with other methods as well; thus, making it a valuable tool in a teaching repertoire (2008).

"Amazing Service Dog Helps Kids with Autism" is another excellent video regarding tools for teaching autistic children. In this video, a service dog is shown teaching children to communicate. One child who had not previously spoken, began speaking because of the interaction they had with this dog. Children who had not previously shown an interest in engaging are shown engaging with this service dog. This video just further illustrates that utilizing all available tools to reach children with autism is the best way to effectively reach each child. Some will work while others will not (2011).