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Types of Intervention

This page provides a list of common interventions broken down into different categories. (For a more academically rigorous perspective please see an Alternative set of categories widely accepted by the scientific community).

Like any division the categories below are somewhat arbitrary. However we hope the categories allow you to see which interventions are similar to which others. So, for example, we have grouped diets, hormones and nutritional supplements together since these all involve ingesting appropriate substances.

We recognise that there is considerable overlap between many different approaches. For example, strategies based on applied behavioural analysis are an integral part of many interventions, such as EIBI, PECS, and SonRise.

Over time we hope to describe and evaluate most interventions, providing a ranking which tells you the level of scientific evidence which supports or does not support its use.

Disclaimer

There are no interventions that can cure autism. And there are very few which actually produce substantial, long-term benefits.

Many interventions are time consuming or expensive or both. And some may even be harmful or dangerous.

The fact that an intervention is listed on this page does not mean that there is currently any scientifically valid or reliable evidence for its effectiveness. Nor does it mean that we support its use.

Standard therapies

Interventions based on standard healthcare therapies i.e. therapies which are accepted and used by the majority of health care professionals with a range of clients.

Includes Art Therapy, Drama therapy, Music therapy, Occupational Therapy, Osteopathy, Physiotherapy, Play therapy, and Speech and language therapy.

Service-based interventions

Interventions which are based around the delivery of services. Includes Education, Employment, Parental support programmes, and Social services.

Educational services

Educational services can be divided into mainstream and specialist services. Specialist services include individual schools or groups, the Higashi schools, the schools run by Montessori movement, the National Autistic Society or Division TEACCH, or within the LEAP project, and the establishments run within the Camphill Movement.

Employment services

Services which are designed to help people with autistic spectrum disorders find and keep a job. Includes Supported employment services, such as the Prospects scheme run by the National Autistic Society in the UK.

Parental support services

Services which are designed to provide support to the parents of children with autistic spectrum disorders. Includes the National Autistic Society’s EarlyBird and Help! programmes, Helplines, Library and information services, Portage, Respite care, and Websites.

Social services

Services which are designed to help individuals cope in the community. Includes Advocacy, Befriending schemes, Mentoring, and Residential care.

Behavioural interventions

Interventions which are primarily designed to change the individual’s behaviour in a variety of situations.

Includes Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (aka Cognitive Behavioural Modification) and Early Intensive Behavioural Interventions, as well as specific behavioural/educational techniques such as Cognitive Scripts, Decision Making Strategies, Discrete Trial Training, Incidental teaching, Joint Action Routines, Milieu training, and Pivotal Response Training

Relationship-based interventions

Interventions which seek to encourage affect, attachment, bonding and a sense of relatedness.

Includes befriending schemes, DIR Method (aka Floortime), Gentle Teaching, Holding Therapy, Play Therapy, Reciprocity Training, Relationship Development Intervention, Social Groups and the Son-Rise programme (aka Options method)

Skills-based interventions

Interventions which aim to develop, maintain, or support specific skills.

Includes Augmentative Alternative Communication, Bio-feedback, Facilitated Communication, Functional Communication Training, Picture Exchange System, Power Cards, Sign Languages (such as British Sign Language and Makaton), Social Skills Groups, Social Stories, Theory of Mind training and Visual schedules.

Physiological interventions

A wide range of interventions based on changing the mechanical, physical, and biochemical functions of the body.

Please note that important biomedical sub-groups, such as Medical interventions and Diets and Supplements are listed separately.

Manipulation

Interventions which involve the therapist manipulating the body or parts of the body. Includes Acupressure, Acupuncture, the Bowen technique, Emotional freedom technique, some forms of Massage, Osteopathy and Reflexology.

Also includes Patterning therapies, a type of manipulation therapy which aims to rewire the brain and repair any damage through bodily exercises. Patterning therapies include the Doman-Delcato method and Developmental Reflexive Rehabilitation, as well as the Dore method

Sensory

Interventions which aim to mitigate sensitivity to the senses. Includes Auditory integration training, Bio-feedback therapy, Coloured filters, Deep pressure therapy, Lightwave stimulation, Prisms, Sensory integration therapy, and Weighted items.

Medical interventions

Interventions which use one or more medical treatments.

Medication

Interventions which use medicinal drugs.

Includes Anti-biotics, Anti-Convulsants, Anti-depressants, Anti-fungals, Anti-histamines, Anti-hypertensives, Anti-psychotics, such as Risperidone, Anxiloytics, Adrenergic antagonists, Mood stabilisers, Opioid antagonists, Sedatives, Steroids and Stimulant Medications.

Medical procedures

Interventions which involve medical processes.

Includes chelation, electro-convulsive therapy, hyperbaric therapy, testosterone regulation, and a variety of surgical procedures.

Diets and supplements

Interventions based on the deliberate selection of foods and supplements.

Diets

Diets – there are many different kinds of special diet which are believed to help

Supplement-diets are based on eating more of a particular substance. Includes Essential fatty acids , Probiotics, and Vitamins and minerals (which can also be taken as supplements).

Free or low-diets are based on eating less of, or avoiding, particular substances. Includes Gluten-free, casein-free diet, Ketogenic diet, low salicylate diet, or yeast-free diet.

Other diets involve a combination of different approaches. Includes Specific carbohydrate diet and Sulphation

Hormones

Interventions which use hormones. Includes Immuno globulin, leuprolide -as a form of testosterone regulation, oxytocin, melatonin, and secretin.

Supplements

Includes any intervention based on the use of supplements not listed in one of the other categories in this section.

Includes cell therapy, digestive enzymes, DMG, glutathione, and homeopathic supplements. It also includes a range of vitamins including including Vitamin A, Vitamin B6, Vitamin B9, Vitamin B12, Vitamin C, and Vitamin D

Technology

Interventions which are mainly based around the use of technology.

Includes assistive devices, computer aided instruction, Interactive metronome, online communities , prompting devices, robotics, video/DVD instruction/modelling, virtual reality, voice output communication aids

Other interventions

This group includes any intervention not included within another category. Many of these interventions are alternative or complementary to mainstream – widely accepted by health care professionals – interventions.

Animals

Interventions which use animals of one kind or another. Includes assistance dogs and animal therapies – such as horse riding and dolphin therapy.

Environmental

Interventions which seek to change the external environment. Includes designed and modified environments (such as a bedroom or classroom).

Physical activities

Wide range of physical and sporting activities. Includes sports such as horse riding, movement therapies, physical exercise and surfing, as well as some of the activities undertaken within Physiotherapy or listed in the section on manipulation.

Political

Interventions which seek to influence other people. Includes Advocacy and Self Advocacy, disability awareness training, and political lobbying.

Relaxation

Range of techniques where the principal aim is to relax the person. Includes aromatherapy and some forms of massage.

Spiritual

Range of techniques which emphasize the importance of a spiritual dimension in dealing with issues. Includes Colour Therapy, Faith Healing, Rieki.

Combined interventions

Interventions which combine a wide-range of other interventions and approaches.

Includes the Baudhuin Preschool, the Camphill Movement, the Giant Steps schools, Higashi schools, LEAP, Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy, Son-Rise program, Speech and Language Therapy, TEACCH.

References

Charman, T. and Clare, P. (2004). Mapping autism research: identifying UK priorities for the future. London: National Autistic Society.

Green V.A. et al. (2006). Internet survey of treatments used by parents of children with autism. Research in Developmental Disabilities, 27(1), pp. 70-84. Read Abstract

National Autistic Society. (2007). Approaches to autism: An easy to use guide to many and varied approaches to autism. London: The National Autistic Society.

Simpson R.L. et al. (2005). Autism spectrum disorders: interventions and treatments for children and youth. California, Corwin Press.

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Last Updated : 31/10/2008 Back to Top

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