On Thu, 23 Feb 2006 18:09:56 -0600, Carlson LaVonne
wrote:

Dr. Stanley Greenspan has implemented something called "floor time."
Dr. Greenspan believes that even without punishment, the rewards portion
relies on external control and the child with autism understanding and
responding to the so-called reward. Floor time is a far less intrusive
method that works with the child and helps the children understand
his/her environment and internalize appropriate responses. So far, the
research is extremely positive.

Dr. Greenspan himself admits that he has not enough data to back
up any claims of success with any numbers of children.

I like floortime, but I also know that the scientific research on its
results is not out there yet. Anecdotal evidence is not the same
as studies on large numbers of children. I will go with the treatment
that seems to have had the best results rather than dilute things by
doing more than one treatment modality.

I also believe that the newer treatment RDI has a better theoretical
basis in terms of addressing the core deficits of autism and it also
is compatible with using ABA for cognitive skills. Some of the
therapists who have taught at the RDI center have recently opened
centers which combine RDI and ABA therapies in individual programs.

The research on ABA is simply more extensive and better supported
scientifically than any other educational treatment at this point.

There is also Son-Rise, but again, the institute that is using this
program not only has little data but has no plans to gather any.



--
Dorothy

There is no sound, no cry in all the world
that can be heard unless someone listens ..

The Outer Limits