Week 4 Case Study: EDPY 552: Ethan: Early Intervention
Interventions
“Lovaas-type” ABA Approach
ABA means applied behavioral analysis. It is what people general think of as cognitve conditioning based on
the work of B.F. Skinner and Edward Thorndike. The goal of this approach is to change behaviour through
cognitive manipulation. A therapist would work with Ethan using positive reinforcement to promote a
desired behaviour. Lovaas type ABA uses what is called discrete trials. Using the Lovaas method a skill
targeted for development will be identified and broken down into manageable components. The trials will
help Ethan master the components of the overall skill and eventually the overall skill itself. The positive
stimuli used to motivate Ethan will be one selected by him when the session begins. By mastering the
components that make up a skill, Ethan will then be able to utilize that skill in his natural environment. This
is a modification of the Applied Behavioral Approach and because of that, there is plenty of research on its
effectiveness, especially for children up to 8 years old.
Additional Internet Resource: http://www.lovaas.com
Pivotal Response Training
Pivotal Response Training (PRT) is an applied behaviour analysis based intervention that is a play based,
child initiated and naturalistic. The term pivotal in PRT refers to the pivotal behaviours that are the
cornerstones to a child’s behaviour. Improvement in pivotal behaviours has a positive effect on targeted and
non-targeted behaviours. Four pivotal behaviours include: responsiveness to multiple cues, motivation, selfmanagement and self-initiation. The goal of PRT is to promote communication, social skills and play skills.
The PRT process would involve setting goals specific to Ethan’s needs, using his natural interests or current
activities to reach the specified goal and rewarding him with something meaningful every time he attempts
to reach the goal. Depending on the family dynamics, you can learn the required skills to implement PRT
with Ethan at home and in the environments he feels most comfortable.
Additional Internet Resource: http://www.autismspeaks.org/what-autism/treatment/pivotal-response-therapy-prt
The Early Start Denver Model
The Early Start Denver Model (ESDM) integrates relationship-focused development (parent to child) with
applied behavioural analysis to accelerate development in cognitive, social-emotional, and language
domains. A collaborative team will work with you to evaluate Ethan’s development and establish his needs.
There will be regular team meetings to assess where Ethan is at and accordingly adjust goals and strategies.
The ESDM has a curriculum that lists a sequence of specific skills for Ethan to master in various domains.
The domains of particular importance in the ESDM are: imitation, non-verbal communication including
joint attention, verbal communication, social development and play. To help Ethan progress through the
skills outlined in the curriculum, ESDM relies on a core model that includes: an interdisciplinary team
approach; a focus on interpersonal engagement; development of appropriate use of gestures, appropriate
facial movements, expressions, and object use; emphasis on both nonverbal and verbal communication
development; focus on cognitive aspects of play carried out within dyadic play routines; and partnership
with parents. I found the majority of this information at the websites below.
Additional Internet Resources:
http://www.interactingwithautism.com/section/treating/esdmod
http://www.nmhrc.com/excerpts/Early%20Start%20Denver%20Model%20for%20Young%20Children%20with%20Autism.pdf
“Lovaas-type”
ABA
Approach
Behavioural
Approaches
Pivotal
Response
Training
The Early
Start Denver
Model
JASPER
The SCERTS
model
Responsive
Teaching
Floortime
(DIR)
Relationship
Development
Intervention
Developmental
Approaches
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