Center for Autism and Related Disorders
Encyclopedia
The Center for Autism and Related Disorders, Inc. (CARD), founded in 1990 by Dr. Doreen Granpeesheh
, is among the largest Autism
treatment organizations in the world. CARD's stated mission is to provide the highest quality ABA behavioral intervention to children with autism around the world. CARD provides a range of services for children and adults with autism, pervasive developmental disorder, Asperger's disorder and other disabilities within the autism spectrum
. These services include home-based behavioral interventions based on the principles of Applied Behavior Analysis
(ABA), diagnostic and psychological assessments.
While Dr Granpeesheh believes that all people with ASDs are capable of learning and recovery, she states there is currently no way to predict the outcome of treatment for any individual.
(ABA), a form of intervention therapy pioneered by Dr. Ivar Lovaas
called the Lovaas technique
that focuses on encouraging appropriate behaviors while discouraging destructive behaviors.
Subsequent studies replicated the general findings of Lovaas and indicate that treatment should begin as early as possible. Also children that receive more treatment hours per week have better outcomes than those who receive fewer.
CARDs treatment is commonly referred to as early intensive behavioral intervention (EIBI). Most of the clients treated at CARD enter the program at the age of two and receive intensive services over the course of four years, with the ultimate goal of recovery at age six. For these children, the first year of treatment consists of intensive work on language and behavior with progression into social skills in the second year, more abstract cognitive and executive functioning skills in the third, and a gradual fade-out of services in the final year. The intensive services are usually provided initially in the child's home, with a transition to the child's school and community as the child's age allows. For older clients, aged ten to twenty-one, CARD focuses on independent living skills, successful employment, development of leisure activities, friendships and attending school.
The content of CARDs curriculum addresses all areas of human functioning across the following eight domains: language, play, social skills, motor, academic, adaptive skills, cognition and executive functioning.
Studies on the outcome of CARD treatment have replicated the general findings in the published literature, which is that intensive twenty-five or more hours per week of treatment, beginning at a young age, optimizes positive outcomes, even resulting in recovery for some children.
. It was directed and edited by Michele Jaquis in collaboration with Dr. Doreen Granpeesheh
. The film had earned the Best Documentary award at the 2008 Director's Chair Film Festival, and was an official selection at the 2008 Victoria Independent Film Festival Moreover, it received an award at the 2009 ReelHeART International Film Festival
.
Doreen Granpeesheh
Doreen Granpeesheh, PhD, BCBA is an American clinical psychologist and producer of the independent award-winning documentary Recovered: Journeys Through the Autism Spectrum and Back, which depicts four children's progress as they recover from autism....
, is among the largest Autism
Autism
Autism is a disorder of neural development characterized by impaired social interaction and communication, and by restricted and repetitive behavior. These signs all begin before a child is three years old. Autism affects information processing in the brain by altering how nerve cells and their...
treatment organizations in the world. CARD's stated mission is to provide the highest quality ABA behavioral intervention to children with autism around the world. CARD provides a range of services for children and adults with autism, pervasive developmental disorder, Asperger's disorder and other disabilities within the autism spectrum
Autism spectrum
The term "autism spectrum" is often used to describe disorders that are currently classified as pervasive developmental disorders. Pervasive developmental disorders include autism, Asperger syndrome, Childhood disintegrative disorder, Rett syndrome and Pervasive Developmental Disorder Not Otherwise...
. These services include home-based behavioral interventions based on the principles of Applied Behavior Analysis
Applied Behavior Analysis
Applied behavior analysis is a science that involves using modern behavioral learning theory to modify behaviors. Behavior analysts reject the use of hypothetical constructs and focus on the observable relationship of behavior to the environment...
(ABA), diagnostic and psychological assessments.
Theoretical Assumptions
CARD researchers have published over fifty research articles in peer-reviewed scientific journals and have contributed over twenty chapters to edited scientific texts. CARDs philosophy and behavioral approach assumes the following to be true:- Recovery from autism exists.
- All people within the autism spectrum are capable of learning.
- Everything a person says or does is considered behavior.
- Behavior can be improved and enhanced via learning opportunities.
While Dr Granpeesheh believes that all people with ASDs are capable of learning and recovery, she states there is currently no way to predict the outcome of treatment for any individual.
Applied Behavioral Model
CARD uses Applied Behavior AnalysisApplied Behavior Analysis
Applied behavior analysis is a science that involves using modern behavioral learning theory to modify behaviors. Behavior analysts reject the use of hypothetical constructs and focus on the observable relationship of behavior to the environment...
(ABA), a form of intervention therapy pioneered by Dr. Ivar Lovaas
Ole Ivar Lovaas
Ole Ivar Løvaas, Ph.D. was a clinical psychologist at UCLA. He is considered to be one of the fathers of applied behavior analysis therapy for autism through his development of the Lovaas technique and the first to provide evidence that the behavior of autistic children can be modified through...
called the Lovaas technique
Lovaas technique
LOVAAS technique, which is known to the general public as Applied behavior analysis , as well as Intensive behavioral intervention , and Early intensive behavioral intervention , is a form of treatment guided by ABA and developed by Dr. Ivar Lovaas, a psychology professor at UCLA...
that focuses on encouraging appropriate behaviors while discouraging destructive behaviors.
Subsequent studies replicated the general findings of Lovaas and indicate that treatment should begin as early as possible. Also children that receive more treatment hours per week have better outcomes than those who receive fewer.
CARDs treatment is commonly referred to as early intensive behavioral intervention (EIBI). Most of the clients treated at CARD enter the program at the age of two and receive intensive services over the course of four years, with the ultimate goal of recovery at age six. For these children, the first year of treatment consists of intensive work on language and behavior with progression into social skills in the second year, more abstract cognitive and executive functioning skills in the third, and a gradual fade-out of services in the final year. The intensive services are usually provided initially in the child's home, with a transition to the child's school and community as the child's age allows. For older clients, aged ten to twenty-one, CARD focuses on independent living skills, successful employment, development of leisure activities, friendships and attending school.
The content of CARDs curriculum addresses all areas of human functioning across the following eight domains: language, play, social skills, motor, academic, adaptive skills, cognition and executive functioning.
Clinical Outcomes
A study on the effects of CARD treatment found that greater intensity of treatment and beginning treatment at a younger age both contribute to faster learning rates during CARD therapy. Of note is a finding that 96 percent of the group studied met criteria for ASD according to the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule at intake, while only 64 percent still met the ASD criteria after two years of CARD treatment.Studies on the outcome of CARD treatment have replicated the general findings in the published literature, which is that intensive twenty-five or more hours per week of treatment, beginning at a young age, optimizes positive outcomes, even resulting in recovery for some children.
Documentary
Staff members at CARD as well as four families whose children received treatment from them were featured in the documentary Recovered: Journeys Through the Autism Spectrum and BackRecovered: Journeys Through the Autism Spectrum and Back
Recovered: Journeys Through the Autism Spectrum and Back is a 2008 documentary about four children who have completely recovered from the autism spectrum. The film is directed by Michele Jaquis and produced by Dr. Doreen Granpeesheh and the Center for Autism and Related Disorders...
. It was directed and edited by Michele Jaquis in collaboration with Dr. Doreen Granpeesheh
Doreen Granpeesheh
Doreen Granpeesheh, PhD, BCBA is an American clinical psychologist and producer of the independent award-winning documentary Recovered: Journeys Through the Autism Spectrum and Back, which depicts four children's progress as they recover from autism....
. The film had earned the Best Documentary award at the 2008 Director's Chair Film Festival, and was an official selection at the 2008 Victoria Independent Film Festival Moreover, it received an award at the 2009 ReelHeART International Film Festival
ReelHeArt International Film Festival
The ' known as The Filmmakers Film Festival is an annual independent film festival that screens over 100 films from 30 or more countries during six days around the 3rd week of June in Toronto, Canada....
.