The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #61491

Barbara Becker-Cottrill, EdD, Jennifer McFarland, PhD, and Aniruddha Shinde, MS. Autism Training Center, Marshall University, Hal Greer Blvd, Huntington, WV 25755

The purpose of this poster presentation is to provide an overview of a comprehensive and highly individualized model of service delivery for children with autism and their families. The model is based on a philosophy of positive behavior support which focuses on the prevention of challenging behavior and includes a focus on quality of life issues for individuals with challenging behaviors. The West Virginia Autism Training Center, charged with a mission of providing statewide education and training services to West Virginians with autism and their families, has provided this model of positive behavior support to 332 families since 1997. The model was developed with funding from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention with an emphasis on the prevention of secondary conditions of autism. Challenging behaviors, most often associated with individuals with autism, and familial stress are two of the critical areas of focus for this model project. The model also focuses on quality of life issues for the individual affected with autism as well as their families. This poster will provide a description of the intervention process. A case study illustrating the specific intervention components and strategies developed for the case study participant as well as outcomes for both the child and his family will also be presented. Summary evaluation data of the project will be included. Information on how to obtain more knowledge about this state of the art intervention model will be offered. Information on how to receive training on the implementation of the model project will be provided as well.

Learning Objectives:

As a result of viewing this poster the learner will:
• Recognize the essential components of a positive behavior support approach to providing comprehensive and individualized education and training services for children with autism and their families. 2.More fully recognize how the Positive Behavior Support Family Focus process is implemented through a case study illustration. 3.Recognize some quality of life issues relevant to children with autism and their families and be able to identify positive behavior support strategies that improve quality of life for this population. 4.Be informed of the effectiveness of the Positive Behavior Support Family Focus Project through data analysis of some critical outcomes. 5.Be informed on where to get more information about this model of service delivery and how to request training related to the model.

Keywords: Children With Special Needs, Behavioral Research

Related Web page: www.marshall.edu/coe/atc

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.