Autism and Pervasive Developmental Disorder

Autism is a complex neurobiological disorder that presents itself in children before 3 years of age and persists throughout adulthood. Autism is one of the five disorders listed under the umbrella of Pervasive Developmental Disorder. Individuals with Autism have deficits in communication, both verbal and nonverbal, social interactions and pragmatics, lack of play skills, lack of flexibility in everyday routines and transitions and have a preoccupation with repetitive behaviors, such as spinning and lining up objects.

Read more >>

Asperger's Syndrome

Asperger's Syndrome is a neurobiological disorder on the autism spectrum which manifests in children as normal to high intelligence and typical language development. Other characteristics include delayed social skills, difficulty with transitions, preoccupation with sameness and routines and heightened sensory awareness.

Read more >>

Consulting

As an autism spectrum consultant in the Central Texas area, I provide the following services for institutions (private and public) and families:
 

	Assessments using the Assessment of Basic Language and Learning Skills (ABLLS) including initial assessments and quarterly updates
	Development and management of ABA programs for institutions and home programs for families
	Individualized treatment plans

Read more >>

Treatment

It is important to note that children with Autism Spectrum Disorders, PDD, PDD-NOS or Asperger's Syndrome are best served with a multidisciplinary treatment approach.

Options for treatment include:

Read more >>

Applied Behavior Analysis 

Behavior Analysis is the science that studies environmental events that change behavior. Behavior Analysis is different from the psychological sciences in that the behavior itself and its interactions in the immediate environment is the primary interest as opposed to the "mental" aspects of the behavior. Variations in behavior, defined as changes in the frequency or form of what we do or what we say, are understood in terms of relations with real-world events.  Behavior analysts' main goal is to solve human problems by modifying environments in relation to behavior that causes difficulties.

Behavior Analysis looks at a three-step contingency when studying behavior; A-B-C Contingency standing for Antecedent, Behavior and Consequence. Antecedents occur right before a behavior; Behaviors are the target behaviors being observed and Consequences occur immediately after the behavior.

Learn more about ABA in the Resources section.