Abstract of the Dissertation

Examining Five Promising Methodologies for Treating with Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders

Through written survey and recorded interviews a snapshot in time was taken of how theorists of five promising approaches - Applied Behavioral Analysis, TEACCH, Daily Life Therapy, Miller Method, and DIR - think about children on the autism spectrum. Some of the findings include agreement on the need for a better definition and sub-typing of autism spectrum disorders, on the need for treatment-based research for developing and maintaining best practice, that the diversity of needs of people on the autism spectrum requires a wide range of approaches, and that people with autism have many valuable strengths to contribute to society. Other findings include extensive use of non-standardized assessments, along with judicious employment of standardized instruments. Finally, all the theorists - some of whom have spent more than four decades helping children with autism - feel that the work they have done can be useful to youth with other challenges as well.