Turn Autism Around

Key Takeaways

1. Early intervention is crucial for children showing signs of autism or developmental delays

Speech and social delays (which are often the earliest signs of autism) are an emergency.

Recognizing the signs. Early signs of autism or developmental delays include lack of pointing, limited eye contact, speech delays, excessive tantrums, and repetitive behaviors. These signs can appear as early as 12-18 months of age.

Acting quickly. Research shows that early intervention can significantly improve outcomes for children with autism or developmental delays. The sooner you start implementing strategies, the better the chances of reducing the severity of symptoms or even preventing a diagnosis of autism.

• Don't wait for a formal diagnosis to begin intervention
• Start with 15-minute daily sessions using the Turn Autism Around approach
• Seek professional help, but don't rely solely on waiting lists for evaluations

2. Assess your child's strengths and needs using the Turn Autism Around (TAA) approach

You can and should assess your child, but you must.

Comprehensive assessment. The TAA assessment form provides a quick overview of your child's abilities in various areas, including language, self-care, and social skills. This assessment helps you identify your child's strengths and needs, allowing you to create a tailored intervention plan.

Ongoing evaluation. Regularly reassess your child's progress using:

• Language samples
• Short baseline videos
• ABC (Antecedent, Behavior, Consequence) data charts
• Self-care checklists

By consistently evaluating your child's development, you can adjust your intervention strategies and track improvements over time.

3. Create a positive learning environment and establish a routine for table time sessions

The most important thing to remember about table time is that it needs to be fun!

Setting up the environment. Create a dedicated learning area with minimal distractions. Use a child-sized table and chair, and keep learning materials organized and out of reach when not in use.

Pairing and reinforcement. Make table time enjoyable by:

• Using preferred items and activities as reinforcers
• Providing praise and positive attention
• Gradually introducing demands while maintaining a high level of reinforcement

Start with short 3-5 minute sessions and gradually increase the duration as your child becomes more comfortable and engaged in the learning process.

4. Focus on preventing problem behaviors and increasing communication skills

If a problem behavior occurs, it's almost always because the demands are too high and the reinforcement is too low.

Prevention strategies. Spend 95% of your time on preventing problem behaviors by:

• Providing ample reinforcement for desired behaviors
• Keeping demands low and gradually increasing them
• Creating a structured and predictable environment

Communication skills. Teach your child to communicate their wants and needs effectively:

• Start with teaching manding (requesting) skills
• Use the "One Word x3 Strategy" to encourage vocal language
• Incorporate sign language or picture communication systems if needed

By focusing on prevention and communication, you can reduce tantrums and other challenging behaviors while increasing your child's ability to express themselves.

5. Develop social skills through structured play and interaction

Social skills cannot be taught in isolation.

Building foundational skills. Focus on developing:

• Joint attention
• Imitation skills
• Turn-taking
• Parallel play

Structured activities. Use activities like:

• Pretend play (e.g., birthday party, toy kitchen)
• Simple games with clear rules
• Reading books together

Incorporate social skill development into daily routines and interactions, gradually increasing the complexity of social situations as your child progresses.

6. Teach language skills using multiple control procedures and errorless teaching

The Turn Autism Around approach uses multiple control procedures in each activity.

Multiple control. Combine different types of language skills in teaching activities:

• Manding (requesting)
• Tacting (labeling)
• Echoics (repeating)

Errorless teaching. Prevent errors by:

• Providing immediate prompts
• Gradually fading prompts as the child becomes more proficient
• Using transfer trials to build on existing skills

Implement these strategies during table time sessions and throughout daily activities to maximize language learning opportunities.

7. Address self-care skills like feeding, sleeping, and potty training systematically

Focusing on feeding and improving nutrition is a lifelong goal for many of us and certainly not a once-and-done task.

Feeding interventions. Tackle picky eating by:

• Gradually introducing new foods
• Using differential reinforcement
• Addressing sensory issues

Sleep interventions. Establish a consistent bedtime routine and use strategies like:

• Creating a sleep-conducive environment
• Gradually fading parental presence
• Using positive reinforcement for staying in bed

Potty training. Implement a structured approach:

• Assess readiness skills
• Create a consistent routine
• Use positive reinforcement for success
• Gradually increase independence

Address these self-care skills systematically, adapting your approach based on your child's individual needs and progress.

8. Desensitize your child to challenging situations like doctor visits and haircuts

Any person, place, object, procedure, or activity can be paired or re-paired with time, practice, and patience.

Task analysis. Break down challenging situations into small, manageable steps.

Gradual exposure. Systematically desensitize your child to aversive stimuli:

• Start with low-intensity exposures
• Use positive reinforcement
• Gradually increase the difficulty of the task

Practice and preparation. Use strategies like:

• Role-playing
• Social stories
• Video modeling

By addressing these challenges proactively, you can reduce anxiety and improve your child's ability to tolerate necessary procedures and activities.

9. Become your child's best advocate and collaborate with professionals effectively

Advocacy should not be the same as fighting. It shouldn't be "us against them."

Building a support team. Collaborate with professionals while maintaining your role as the "captain of the ship":

• Share your assessment data and progress reports
• Be open to professional advice while advocating for your child's needs
• Seek second opinions or independent evaluations when necessary

Ongoing advocacy. Continuously educate yourself and others about your child's needs:

• Keep detailed records of assessments, interventions, and progress
• Attend relevant workshops and support groups
• Stay informed about educational rights and available resources

Remember that advocacy is a lifelong process, and your role as your child's primary advocate will evolve as they grow and develop.

Last updated: February 27, 2025

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