The parents of a child on the autism spectrum frequently wonder -- what can I do to help my child grow and develop. They turn to professionals, other parents, and frequently web sites for advice. And what a plethora of advice there is out there. “This diet will cure your child.” “Don’t vaccinate.” “The only program that works is ABA”. or “ABA turns your child into a robot.” So many different therapies, so much different advice. What is a parent to do? Who do they listen to?

Most of the research favors Applied Behavior Analysis although there is a tantalizing bit of research that is now merging behavioral and developmental approaches (e.g., The Denver Model). What I will do in this and subsequent blogs is just share my latest thinking on an idea -- the idea that ASD is primarily an affective disturbance and the cognitive dysfunctions are secondary to this.

I believe that the starting place is in developing self and other awareness. First develop an emotional (affective) connection and then start the cognitive skill development part.

My thoughts are based on research that I will later share in more detail -- primarily the works of Peter Hobson and Michael Tomesello but also numerous others.
My thoughts are also based on two programs with weak research bases -- Relationship Development Intervention and the Son Rise program -- both have some very good ideas and both have limitations.
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ASD is primarily a social impairment.

People with ASD do not engage in emotionally charged interactions with other people.
They lack the capacity to see other people as people like themselves.

Just because they lack this capacity does not mean it cannot be taught.

Tags: emotional connection, relationships, social