Heather Dukes-Murray – High-Functioning Autism: Proven & Practical Interventions for Challenging Behaviors in Children, Adolescents & Young Adults

Outline

DSM-5® Changes & AutismDSM-5® Changes & Autism

• DSM-IV® and DSM-5®criteria comparisonsDSM-IV® and DSM-5®criteria comparisons
• Social (pragmatic) communication disorderSocial (pragmatic) communication disorder
• Impact on service delivery (school/community)Impact on service delivery (school/community)
• Successfully link the home, school and therapistSuccessfully link the home, school and therapist
• IEP/504/Do they qualify for school services?IEP/504/Do they qualify for school services?
• Co-morbid disorders: Why the difference is importantCo-morbid disorders: Why the difference is important

Social Skills InterventionsSocial Skills Interventions

Improve social skill deficits Improve social skill deficits “Kid Cop” behaviors and why other kids get angry “Kid Cop” behaviors and why other kids get angry How to get peers to recognize them in positive ways How to get peers to recognize them in positive ways Group activities Group activities Early intervention programs that can deliver long-term success Early intervention programs that can deliver long-term success

Communication InterventionsCommunication Interventions

• Ways to work out conflicts that are effective in multiple settingsWays to work out conflicts that are effective in multiple settings
• Help peers, siblings and parents relateHelp peers, siblings and parents relate
• Verbal interventions that overload processingVerbal interventions that overload processing

Sensory InterventionsSensory Interventions

• Self-stimulation (appropriate & inappropriate)Self-stimulation (appropriate & inappropriate)
• Sensory strategies to avoidSensory strategies to avoid
• Coping/calming techniques that reduce melt downsCoping/calming techniques that reduce melt downs
• Sensory DietSensory Diet

Anxiety InterventionsAnxiety Interventions

• Anxiety reducing activitiesAnxiety reducing activities
• How anxiety impacts rigidityHow anxiety impacts rigidity
• Help them “self-regulate”Help them “self-regulate”
• Successful transitionsSuccessful transitions

ADHD InterventionsADHD Interventions

• ADHD vs. hyper-focusADHD vs. hyper-focus
• Commonly prescribed medications and possible benefits and side effectsCommonly prescribed medications and possible benefits and side effects
• Specific triggers and what fuels the rageSpecific triggers and what fuels the rage
• Reduce aggressive and disruptive behaviorsReduce aggressive and disruptive behaviors
• Mistakes that escalate defiant behaviorsMistakes that escalate defiant behaviors
• Overcome refusals to comply with even simple requestsOvercome refusals to comply with even simple requests

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) InterventionsInterventions

• What to do when they become stuck on high interest areasWhat to do when they become stuck on high interest areas
• Specific medication interventionsSpecific medication interventions
• Impact on socialization and behaviorsImpact on socialization and behaviors

Interventions for Specific Difficult BehaviorsInterventions for Specific Difficult Behaviors

• Reduce Internet and electronic addictionsReduce Internet and electronic addictions
• Changes in technology, school systems and mental health deliveryChanges in technology, school systems and mental health delivery

Psychopharmacological InterventionsPsychopharmacological Interventions

• Differentiate among common medicationsDifferentiate among common medications
• Medications that mimic difficult behaviorsMedications that mimic difficult behaviors
• Side effects and off label useSide effects and off label use
• Impact of eating, sleeping and hormones on medication effectivenessImpact of eating, sleeping and hormones on medication effectiveness

Case Studies, Demonstrations & ActivitiesCase Studies, Demonstrations & Activities

• Case studies that demonstrate specific interventions for aggressive and non-complaint behaviorsCase studies that demonstrate specific interventions for aggressive and non-complaint behaviors
• “Reminder video” technique: A way to facilitate behavioral rehearsal“Reminder video” technique: A way to facilitate behavioral rehearsal
• iPad® apps for social success, behavioral changes and speech and languageiPad® apps for social success, behavioral changes and speech and language
• Staff training techniques to experience what an individual on the spectrum mightStaff training techniques to experience what an individual on the spectrum might