interventions and support Flashcards
William’s syndrome strengths
classed as “relative”
delayed compared to age matched peers
strength in overall profile
strengths:
- verbal language ability
- speech production + fluency
- syntax
- grammar
William’s syndrome weaknesses
executive function:
- inhibitory control
- planning
- working memory
visuospatial abilities:
e.g. as measured by the WISC (standardised IQ test)
Autism - potential strengths (2)
attention to detail & pattern recognition:
- ‘strong systemising’ abilities = heightened attention to detail and advanced capabilities in pattern recognition
superior visual search skills are consistently reported:
Shirama, Kato & Kashino (2017):
- two visual search tasks and increased the level of difficulty of each task:
- conjunction search
- feature search
regardless of task difficulty, autistic individuals outperformed neurotypical individuals on every task
real life application of autism strengths - study
airport luggage x-ray study
visual search ability to spot objects in an image quickly and accurately
Gonzalez et al (2013)
results:
- ASD + control could identify present target
- ASD improved overtime in identifying when target wasn’t present, control stayed same
conclusion:
- when tasks tap into particular strengths of ASD enhanced performance may be observed
- further research should investigate whether autistic individuals are especially well suited to specific real-world visual search tasks
autism - potential weaknesses (2)
executive function:
- inhibitory control
- cognitive flexibility
- working memory
Theory of Mind:
- difficulties in understanding the emotions, thoughts and intentions of others
ToM and autism
Sally-Anne study - children with autism often fail at it
BUT research is equivocal/ambiguous - not easily understood/interpreted
how are specific interventions and support decided for children
profile of strengths & weaknesses for each child allows clinicians, psychologists, parents & educators to identify the best and most appropriate support for that child
4 types of therapy/intervention
physical (William’s syndrome - often have poor muscle tone, balance, coordination):
- physiotherapy
behavioural:
- ABA
- Early Start Denver Model (for autism)
psychological:
- music therapy
- play therapy
language:
- PECS
speech and language therapy - PECS
picture exchange communication system (PECS) = form of alternative communication
William’s and autism are associated with delays/difficulties in speech
PECS stages (7)
- picture exchange - swap picture for an item
- generalise - to other locations/people, can use outside the home
- two picture exchange - use 2 images to ask for an item
- sentence construction - add “I want” before pic
- verbs/adjectives - complex speech aspects
- answer questions from others - using PECS
- commenting - complex sentences starting “I see”, “I hear”
play therapy - why it is used
adult can meet the child on their level to help them express themselves - helps communication gap, adults may miss nonverbal cues otherwise
children learn to understand the world and their place in it through play
free to act out their inner feelings and deepest emotions
toys can act as symbols and take on greater meaning — if you know what to look for
play therapy - session structure (2)
30min - 1hour
1x per week
individual or in a group
directive or non-directive:
- directive = therapist leads by specifying toys or games to use in the session
- non-directive = less structured, child chooses toys and games, therapist observes and participates as appropriate
play therapy - techniques
- storytelling
- role play
- toy phones
- puppets, dolls, action figures
- arts and crafts
- blocks and construction
impact of play therapy
reduce behaviours associated with ADHD and social anxiety
increase social-emotional competency in autistic children
potential benefits of music therapy (6)
- help them listen
- encourage spontaneous play
- strengthens muscles and coordination
- improved concentration (William’s and autism comorbidity with ADHD)
- aid self-expression
- stimulate language development through songs and turn taking
music as an educational tool in William’s syndrome - study
teaching kids facts
split into two groups: had formal music training or not (e.g. singing lessons)
results:
- better verbal recall when info was sung for those without music lessons
- those with music lessons showed good recall for written and spoken info
does this show music aids verbal working memory in WS??
ABA - what it is, what it improves
applied behavioural analysis
improves social communication and learning skills through positive reinforcement
originally for autism - now used for a range of disorders/conditions
intensive - 40hr / week, 1-1 contact (number of hours has reduced recently)
ABA - how does it work
positive conditioning – children are rewarded for showing a desired behaviour
therapist observes the child and consults with the parents and make a plan to address certain behaviours
e.g.:
- reducing tantrums or harmful behaviours
- increasing or improving communication
plan includes specific strategies caregivers, teachers, and the therapist can use to achieve treatment goals
relies on parents and caregivers to help reinforce desired behaviours outside of therapy
effectiveness of ABA - early intensive behavioural intervention
Peters-Scheffer et al. (2011)
meta analysis on effectiveness of Early Intensive Behavioural Intervention (a type of ABA)
11 studies with 344 children
EIBI outperformed the control groups on IQ, non-verbal IQ,expressive and receptive languageand adaptive behaviour
