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. 2022 Oct;52(10):4625-4645.
doi: 10.1007/s10803-021-05316-x. Epub 2021 Oct 13.

Neurodiversity and Autism Intervention: Reconciling Perspectives Through a Naturalistic Developmental Behavioral Intervention Framework

Rachel K Schuck  1 , Daina M Tagavi  2 , Kaitlynn M P Baiden  2 , Patrick Dwyer  3   4 , Zachary J Williams  5   6   7   8 , Anthony Osuna  2 , Emily F Ferguson  2 , Maria Jimenez Muñoz  2 , Samantha K Poyser  2 , Joy F Johnson  9 , Ty W Vernon  2
Affiliations

Neurodiversity and Autism Intervention: Reconciling Perspectives Through a Naturalistic Developmental Behavioral Intervention Framework

Rachel K Schuck et al. J Autism Dev Disord. 2022 Oct.

Abstract

Proponents of autism intervention and those of the neurodiversity movement often appear at odds, the former advocating for intensive treatments and the latter arguing that autism must be accepted as a form of diversity. The history of behavioral intervention has understandably outraged many in the Autistic community, though many still value supports focused on quality of life. This commentary argues that Naturalistic Developmental Behavioral Interventions (NDBIs) hold promise for bridging the gap between early intervention and the neurodiversity movement. However, we recognize NDBIs have much room to grow and suggest multiple strategies for improvement. We believe these updates are not only feasible for clinicians and researchers to implement but will ultimately lead to improved quality of life for Autistic individuals.

Keywords: Autism; Naturalistic developmental behavioral intervention; Neurodiversity.

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Conflict of interest statement

RKS, DMT, KMPB, AO, EFF, MJM, SKP, and TWV are all clinicians at the Koegel Autism Center at the University of California, Santa Barbara, a center focused on providing Pivotal Response Treatment, an NDBI. TWV is the center director. TWV, KMPB, MJM, and JFJ are Board Certified Behavior Analysts. PD and ZJW both serve on the autistic researcher review board of the Autism Intervention Research Network on Physical Health (AIR-P), and ZJW is a member of the family advisory committee of the Autism Speaks Autism Learning Health Network Vanderbilt site. ZJW also serves as a consultant for Roche on a project related to behavioral intervention for autism.

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