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Educating Children with Autism and Pervasive Developmental Disorder
Overview of Teaching Methods

There are several methods of educating young children with autism. The most well-known strategies are:

• APPLIED BEHAVIOR ANALYSIS AND APPLIED VERBAL BEHAVIOR, popularized by Dr. Ivar Lovaas and Dr. Vincent Carbone, respectively,
• TEACCH,
• DIR/ FLOOR TIME, developed by Dr. Stanley Greenspan,
• SENSORY INTEGRATION THERAPY and
• RELATIONSHIP DEVELOPMENT INTERVENTION or RDI, advanced by Dr. Steven Gutstein.
• Please click on those links for our reviews of each method.

Some school districts will offer just one strategy. However, it is good to be familiar with all of them, as some children may respond better to one than another. Some children may do best with a combination of methods. Also, be aware that the practitioners of one strategy may criticize those who use another method. Don't be afraid, as a parent, to do your own research and draw your own conclusions.

Regardless of strategy chosen, many children with autism and PDD will benefit from physical, speech and occupational therapies at school. An occupational therapist can help the child improve poor hand skills, as well as address the sensory problems commonly found in autistic spectrum disorders. Many parents say that some school districts do not automatically provide all the services a child needs. Parents often must ask ─ and advocate ─  for specific therapies, teaching methods and services in order to receive them.

The National Research Council has published Educating Children With Autism, which identifies the characteristics of an effective school program and ways to better prepare teachers, schools and parents to teach children with autism and PDD.

Where to Find Your State's Early Intervention Program

In the United States, children with disabilities from birth to age 21 are entitled by law to receive a free, appropriate education. States offer free special education, speech therapy, occupational therapy and physical therapy to infants, toddlers and preschoolers who qualify. Here is a list of state early intervention offices: click on your state at the bottom of the page. You may contact your local office to refer your child for a free evaluation. In many communities, the Early Intervention Office can be reached by contacting the local school district, health department or developmental disability center. Parents can refer a school-aged child for special education testing and services by contacting the child's school.