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Integrating Faith and Treatment for Children with High Functioning Autism Spectrum Disorders

2007; Christian Association for Psychological Studies; Volume: 26; Issue: 2 Linguagem: Inglês

0733-4273

Cara Marker, Magdalena Weeks, Irene Kraegel,

Child and Adolescent Psychosocial and Emotional Development

With a prevalence rate of between 2 and 6 per 1,000 individuals, Autistic Spectrum Disorders (ASD) are increasingly prominent in today's society. Spreading knowledge of various ASD disorders in medical community, along with ever more accurate diagnostic tools, have lead to an increasing number of diagnoses of ASDs. The increased focus on these disorders has, in turn, spurred a flurry of treatment methods in recent years. This article provides an overview of behavioral method of treatment for ASD. In addition, Inner Health Ministries Model is introduced, a Christ-centered treatment program for High Functioning ASD that uses research-based interventions. As an exemplar of this model, an overview of Building Behaviors treatment program is presented, along with program evaluation data gathered during a Building Behaviors 5-day treatment camp. There are few, if any, studies that detail integration of research-based interventions into Christian treatment programs for children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). This article presents Inner Health Ministries (IHM) Model, a comprehensive treatment method for children diagnosed with High Functioning ASD. The IHM Model addresses behavioral, mental, social, physical, and spiritual health of each child in treatment, integrating behavioral principles while teaching about Christ. The model is suitable for adaptation to a variety of treatment programs, such as group therapy, family therapy, after-school treatment programs, and treatment camps. The model can also be adapted for children diagnosed with AttentionDeficit/Hyperactivity Disorder and disruptive behavior disorders. This article provides an overview of IHM Model, along with a description of an exemplar treatment program titled Building Behaviors. Results of data collected during a Building Behaviors 5-day treatment camp are also provided. Autism Spectrum Disorders ASDs are increasingly prominent in today's growing society. As knowledge about various ASDs has spread throughout medical community, more accurate diagnostic tools have been developed (Gilliam, 2001; Smith Myles, Jones Bock, & Simpson, 2001). This has led to an increase in number of ASD diagnoses given (Fombonne, Zakarian, Bennet, Meng, & McLean-Heywood, 2000). The National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities (2000) estimates that prevalence rates for ASD are between 2 and 6 per 1,000 individuals. Disorders included under ASD categorization include Autistic Disorder, Asperger's Disorder, and Pervasive Developmental Disorder Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS). These disorders are characterized by impairments in reciprocal social interactions, language development, and/or stereotyped behaviors and interests. For purposes of this article, we will refer to those diagnosed with any of these three disorders as having an ASD. The designation of High Functioning ASD refers to those who are diagnosed with an ASD but display a relatively high level of adaptive functioning and are able to participate in society without significant modifications. Autistic Disorder The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition (DSMIV; American Psychiatric Association, 1994), describes Autistic Disorder as the presence of markedly abnormal or impaired development in social interaction and communication and a markedly restricted repertoire of activity and interests (p. 66). Onset of Autistic Disorder is typically before age of three. Impairments in social interactions may include difficulties understanding nonverbal cues (e.g., eye contact, facial expressions, body postures, and gestures), inability to establish ageappropriate peer relationships, lack of spontaneous seeking to share others' interests, or lack of social or emotional reciprocity (e.g., difficulty sensing and responding to others' emotions, difficulty expressing emotions, carrying on onesided conversations). …