The Autism Society Event and Education Recordings Archive

Individualized, strengths-based programming is vital to a child on the autism spectrum's success and growth. Service providers and educators can sometimes get "stuck" on the diagnosis rather than focusing on the child and his/her strengths and needs. This intermediate workshop describes assessment procedures, skills to be focused upon when designing programs for children with an ASD, and how to move from assessment to development. In an effort to find the panacea for children with autism, service providers and educators can sometimes make the error of attempting to match a program to a diagnosis rather than taking into account what should come first…the child.  It is also easier to focus on what the child’s needs are – as these are typically considered the “problem” areas – than to examine what the child enjoys or excels in.  A strengths-based approach looks at the child holistically, addressing needs by identifying and utilizing areas of strength.  This allows for increased motivation, realistic goals, and increased positive outcomes.

This presentation discusses the importance of taking a strengths-based approach and how to assess a child’s areas of strengths.  Developmental scales, Functional Behavioral Assessments and Standardized Assessments are reviewed.  Skill areas, to include behavior, functional communication/social interaction, cognitive skills, leisure skills, activities of daily living (ADLs)/self-help, and motor skills are discussed. 

The final phase of this workshop is practical application.  It gives participants the tools necessary to be able to take findings from assessments, evaluations, reports and observations and incorporate them into appropriate, therapeutic, and meaningful interventions and educational programs.

Learning Objectives: