To Learn More About ASAT, Please Visit Their Website Here. You Can Also Sign Up For ASAT's Free Newsletter In Autism Treatment Here. Please Be Sure To Also Like Them On Facebook! Every Time You Like Or Follow A Legitimate Autism Treatment Site, You Take Away From the Harmful Scam Sites That Prey On Desperate Parents. ASSOCIATION FOR SCIENCE IN AUTISM TREATMENT Original Post Found Here. Authored By Our Friends At ASAT: David Celiberti, PhD, BCBA-D and Denise Lorelli, MS Yes, sadly it can happen. With 400+ purported treatments for autism, there is no shortage of such whose name begins with an activity, substance, or favorite pastime and ends in the word “therapy.” A cursory internet search would reveal such “therapies” as music therapy, art therapy, play therapy, sand therapy, dolphin therapy, horseback riding therapy, bleach therapy, vitamin therapy, chelation therapy, and helminth worm therapy joining the list of the more established habilitative therapies such as physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech-language therapy (this is by no means an exhaustive list of the array of “therapies” that are marketed to consumers). Touted therapies can involve all sorts of things. I recall sitting on a panel at Nova University in the late ‘90s with another provider boasting the benefits of llamas and lizards as well. What concerns us are the assumptions – made by consumers and providers alike – that promoted “therapies” have legitimate therapeutic value, when, in fact, there is often little-to-no scientific evidence to support them. Some might rightfully say that many of these touted methods are “quackery” without such evidence. The focus on such unproven methods or “therapies” may result in financial hardship and caregiver exhaustion, further exacerbating the stress levels of participating families. What is most alarming is that these “therapies” may be detrimental because they may separate individuals with autism from interventions that have a demonstrated efficacy, thus delaying the time of introduction of effective therapy.
This concern is echoed by the American Academy of Pediatrics. In their guidelines focusing on the management of autism spectrum disorders, they state: “Unfortunately, families are often exposed to unsubstantiated, pseudoscientific theories and related clinical practices that are, at best, ineffective and, at worst, compete with validated treatments or lead to physical, emotional, or financial harm. Time, effort, and financial re-sources expended on ineffective therapies can create an additional burden on families” (p. 1174). If a child diagnosed with cancer were prescribed chemotherapy, there is a reasonable expectation that chemotherapy would treat or ameliorate the child’s cancer. Parents of individuals with autism have that hope as well when their children are provided with various therapies. While this hope is understandable, it is often placed in a “therapy” for which there is an absence of any legitimate therapeutic value. We hope the following will help both providers and consumers become more careful in how they discuss, present, and participate in various “therapies.” SOME FAULTY ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING “THERAPIES”
As stated above, when parents invest time and hope into therapy there is, most likely, an assumption that their child’s autism will be ameliorated. Parents and providers look for improvement or significant changes in the core deficits related to autism (e.g., socialization, language, and mal-adaptive or problem behavior). What complicates the picture is that many so-called “therapies” appear to be enjoyable to individuals with autism. When we find pleasure in a particular thing or activity we tend to stick with it, we express our joy about it in some way such as a gesture, smile, or verbalization. This would apply to individuals with autism as well. Some of the activities associated with various “therapies” are just that: enjoyable experiences. However, “therapy” must involve more than positive moments in time; it must promote positive change that endures over time. The following are a few examples of alternative ways to conceptualize “therapies.” This is not to say that these experiences are bad; they are not, however, scientifically-proven therapeutic interventions. Dog Therapy Dogs can be very sociable and affectionate pets. A dog may be a common interest that may be shared with others. There are many opportunities for socialization when people gather around a dog. An individual with autism may tolerate a closer proximity of others who approach the dog and may learn to answer predictable questions about his/her pet. In addition, more conversational language may be heard from an individual with autism while interacting with a dog. This example is not intended to minimize the experience of dog services, as it may be applied in other ways (e.g., a dog that prevents a child with autism from bolting); however, it is meant to showcase how easy it is to tout “therapeutic value” when an array of positive experiences may be brought about by the “therapy.” Therapeutic Horseback Riding Horseback riding involves a number of important routines beyond the sheer act of riding a horse. The routine of prepping the horse stays the same each time and the repetitiveness of the large strokes in brushing the horse’s body may also be very pleasurable for some. Individuals with ASDs may become very adept at feeding, grooming, and/or saddling a horse, and they may look quite appropriate during these activities. In addition, the individual with autism may appear very competent and content while engaged in horseback riding; however, in the absence of more global benefit to the core deficits of autism, it would be inappropriate to call this a “therapy” for autism. Sensory Activities such as Swinging Many individuals appear very calm and content when swinging. It is important to make a distinction between whether the individual with autism needs to swing or merely likes to swing. In the latter case, swinging may serve as a powerful reinforcer and can be incorporated into the child’s schedule as such. Furthermore, an individual may be very motivated by other reinforcers such as chocolate cake, and cake may have a calming effect; however, it would be imprudent to coin the term “chocolate cake therapy.” In many of these examples, what is touted as “therapy” is more accurately described as a potential source of pleasure or an opportunity to practice or develop certain skills. As such, they set the occasion for a leisure experience that the individual with autism may share with others; but they do not, in and of themselves, result in lasting, functional change. As an autism community, we need to be very careful and selective about which experiences we attach to the word “therapy.” Misuse of this term can be misleading, can raise false hope, can sap family resources, and can separate children from treatments with a documented track record of success. If you want to call something therapy it must be scientifically proven to be therapeutic. Otherwise, call it a wonderful recreational experience, a reinforcer, a hobby, etc. Such a shift in how we refer to these experiences is not meant to cheapen their value, but to clarify our expectations with regard to outcomes. Is a “therapy” a THERAPY?: Questions to Ask Below are six questions that should always remain at the forefront:
Myers, S. M., Johnson C. P., & the Council on Children with Disabilities (2007). Management of children with Autism Spectrum Disorders. Please use the following format to cite this article: Celiberti, D., & Lorelli, D. (2012). Underwater Basket Weaving Therapy for Autism: Don’t Laugh! It Could Happen.Science in Autism Treatment, 9(4), 8-10.
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