Class
Article
College
Emma Eccles Jones College of Education and Human Services
Department
English Department
Faculty Mentor
Cree Taylor
Presentation Type
Poster Presentation
Abstract
When helping individuals with autism, both in school and in their later adult lives depending on when one receives their diagnosis, normative interventions have been the main treatment alongside therapy. Normative interventions look at behaviors an individual may express that others deem as inappropriate, disruptive, or even just autistic. Targeting said behavior, interactions are held to train the behavior out of the individual through various methods, including video modeling, self-management, and social stories. While these methods have seemed to be helpful with eradicating target behaviors, it does so without looking at the reason behind said behavior, as well as at times stepping too far and changing the individual's personality altogether. We need to look at new interventions that look beyond the behavior we want to change within the autistic individual. Most behaviors are developed as a coping technique for how an individual with autism process the world and stimulation. Teaching them healthier techniques as well as building their self-confidence will help change these behaviors into a more positive force. Looking at where the individual wants to improve is also important, as most need help learning how to set and understand boundaries more than how to respond to social situations as they explore and find their place in the world. Keeping full autonomy as well as their voice, their ability to say no when so many are suppressed till they are completely non-verbal is where we need to focus further research, and not normative interventions.
Location
Logan, UT
Start Date
4-8-2022 12:00 AM
Normative Interventions: Are They Ethical When Helping Individuals With Autism?
Logan, UT
When helping individuals with autism, both in school and in their later adult lives depending on when one receives their diagnosis, normative interventions have been the main treatment alongside therapy. Normative interventions look at behaviors an individual may express that others deem as inappropriate, disruptive, or even just autistic. Targeting said behavior, interactions are held to train the behavior out of the individual through various methods, including video modeling, self-management, and social stories. While these methods have seemed to be helpful with eradicating target behaviors, it does so without looking at the reason behind said behavior, as well as at times stepping too far and changing the individual's personality altogether. We need to look at new interventions that look beyond the behavior we want to change within the autistic individual. Most behaviors are developed as a coping technique for how an individual with autism process the world and stimulation. Teaching them healthier techniques as well as building their self-confidence will help change these behaviors into a more positive force. Looking at where the individual wants to improve is also important, as most need help learning how to set and understand boundaries more than how to respond to social situations as they explore and find their place in the world. Keeping full autonomy as well as their voice, their ability to say no when so many are suppressed till they are completely non-verbal is where we need to focus further research, and not normative interventions.