The Scottish Centre for Autism Preschool Treatment Programme: I: A Developmental Approach to Early Intervention

• Published in: Autism : the international journal of research and practice 2001-12, Vol.5 (4), p.362-373
• Main Authors: Salt, Jeff, Sellars, Val, Shemilt, John, Boyd, Sheila, Coulson, Tracey, McCool, Susan
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Autism; Autistic children; Autistic Disorder - therapy; Child, Preschool; Communication Disorders - therapy; Communication Skills; Early Intervention; Early Intervention (Education); Flexibility; Foreign Countries; Health services; Humans; Imitation; Imitative Behavior; Intensive treatment; Interaction Process Analysis; Interpersonal Communication; Interpersonal Competence; Language Acquisition; National Health Programs; Nonverbal Communication; Parent-child relations; Parenthood education; Parents & parenting; Preschool Education; Program Evaluation; Scotland; Social Behavior; Social exchange theory; Social interaction; Social skills; Socialization; Therapists; Therapy; Treatment programs
• ISSN: 1362-3613; 1461-7005
• DOI: 10.1177/1362361301005004003

Early intervention is an area of intense current interest for parents and professionals. This article describes a mainstream National Health Service (NHS) approach to early intervention, developed at the Scottish Centre for Autism. The aims of treatment are to improve the child's early social communication and social interaction skills, leading to the potential development of play and flexibility of behaviour. This is achieved by 1:1 intensive treatment by trained therapists, and a schedule of parent training. The treatment protocol incorporates a child led approach; the use of imitation as a therapeutic strategy; using language contingent on activities; and the introduction of flexibility into play and social exchanges.