Pivotal Response Treatments for Autism. Communication, Social, & Academic Development

Editorial Review
Recognized as one of the top state-of-the-art treatments for autism in the United States,* the innovative Pivotal Response Treatment uses natural learning opportunities to target and modify key behaviors in children with autism, leading to widespread positive effects on communication, behavior, and social skills. The product of 20 years of research from Robert and Lynn Koegel co-founders of the renowned Autism Research Center at the University of California, Santa Barbara this proven approach is now clearly presented in one accessible book. Keeping parents involved in every aspect of behavioral intervention, therapists and educators of children from preschool to elementary school will use the research-supported PRT strategies .
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Customer Reviews

A Landmark Contribution

2006-05-04
A landmark contribution by two seasoned experts in teaching children with autism--this book guides the reader through an in-depth understanding about the pivotal responses in the child's developmental trajectory in relationships with teachers, therapists and, most importantly the family in everyday life. The application of behavioral principles in natural settings brings the concepts alive and makes them useful to readers.

---Robert A. Naseef, Ph.D., psychologist and co-editor of "Voices from the Spectrum," [...]
Special Children, Challenged Parents: The Struggles and Rewards of Raising a Child With a Disability

Highly informative and very strongly recommended to all parents, teachers, and counselors of autistic children

2006-04-03
Knowledgeably co-authored by Robert L. Koegel (Director of the Koegel Autism Center, University of California, Santa Barbara) and Lynn Kern Koegel (Director of Clinical Services at the Koegel Autism Center) Pivotal Response Treatments For Autism: Communication, Social, And Academic Development is an informed and informative study of the tactics and strategies employed to improve the learning and comprehensive cognitive understanding of autistic children. Exploring ways to improve children's academic performance, advance children's communication and language skills, foster social interactions and friendships with typically developing peers, reduce disruptive behaviors, aid early identification and intervention, and reduce ritualistic behaviors and broaden children's interests, Pivotal Response Treatments For Autism is highly informative and very strongly recommended to all parents, teachers, and counselors of autistic children.

Comprehensive and Practical Treatment Guide

2006-02-22
This book focuses on behavioral treatments for children with autism. As the subtitle suggests, it covers the three main areas that are challenging for children affected by autism - communication, social, and academic development. While it is written with autism in mind, the techniques are certainly applicable to the spectrum of Pervasive Developmental Disorders (PDDs). The techniques are rooted in Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) and are developmentally sensitive. The authors attempt to make the treatments practical and natural (i.e. reinforcers should be tailored to the child's natural environment). I found the section on academic development to be especially helpful. Several pictorial examples of homework were given, and how a parent might make the homework less intimidating (e.g. organizing information, chunking, giving hints, etc.) This book could be used by parents, professionals, and paraprofessionals. I used it in an educational setting, and have not actually tried any of the techniques. But I can say that the interventions are based on sound research, and I expect that they would be effective when applied properly. PRTs for Autism is a complete and accesible book. However, it is not necessarily a motivational book nor one that you would use for an evening of easy reading. It is basically a book that gives detailed treatment techniques. I think this is its strong suit, as I have seen other treatment books and planners that simply give general ideas on how to approach treatment. For a book that is more motivational while still having practical strategies, I recommend another book by one of the co-authors (Lynn Kern Koegel) called Overcoming Autism -- which is geared more specifically towards parents.