There is no evidence that there is only one type of intervention that works with all children with autism.
There is also no evidence that there is a ‘cure’ for autism.
There is, however, strong evidence that the number of children identified with the autism is constantly growing.
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) prevalence estimates vary by gender and racial/ethnic group. Approximately one in 42 boys and one in 189 girls living in the ADDM (Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring) network communities were identified as having ASD (Baio, 2014).
The local scene is no different. The accompanying table are statistics collected by the Education Ministry’s statementing moderating panel, which acts as the gatekeeper to support services in schools for children with disability. The children involved are mainly three- to four-year-olds and attending school.
Many children identified with communication problems might eventually also fall within the autism spectrum.
Maltese professionals have been talking about a prevalence rate of 1:52 children, which would mean approximately 71 children born every year with the autism spectrum disorder.
The statistics would indicate that many more than that are being diagnosed, even if one were to ignore those children identified as having a generic communication disorder.
From our experience, most Maltese children are being identified in their second year; however this needs to be verified through research.
Some of the children followed from a very young age have reached a very high level of education, even obtaining A-levels and higher diplomas at Mcast, and living a very good quality of life.
On the other hand there are those who have been struggling with communication, social and behavioural difficulties and these children need more intensive behavioural interventions.
It is for this reason that professionals need to undergo further training in Applied Behavioural Analysis (ABA).
An increasing amount of research is indicating that Applied Behavioural Analysis – Verbal Behaviour (ABA-VB) is a very effective evidence-based method to support children with a profile falling within the ‘autism spectrum condition’ as defined in the new DSM V, especially in intervening and preventing more serious behavioural challenges.
ABA training will offer professionals more tools to work with.
These children need more intensive behavioural interventions. It is for this reason that professionals need to undergo further training
The following are the various reasons why the Faculty of Education’s Department for Inclusion and Access to Learning in collaboration with Equal Partners Foundation (EPF) have chosen to collaborate with the Walden Institute, ABA Centre.
The institute has an excellent track record in the training, the clinical and the research of Cognitive Behaviour Therapy and Applied Behaviour Analysis-Verbal Behaviour.
The institute works in collaboration with various universities and other educational institutes in the US, Spain, France, Germany and Italy, among others.
The institute’s ABA-VB training is also accredited by the Association for Advancement of Cognitive Behaviour Therapy in the US, Association pour l’Étude, la Modification et la Thérapie du Comportement in Belgium and the L’Association Quebecoise pour L’Avancement du Behaviorisme Paradigmatique in Canada.
The compatibility of the institute’s philosophy with that of the Department for Inclusion and Access to Learning and Equal Partners Foundation with their emphasis on working primarily at the children’s homes and schools, namely the child’s programme is implemented in the child’s ‘normal’ environments;
Its avantguard research on augmentative and alternative means of communication, such as the Walden Picture Exchange Communication System (Pecs);
Its pioneering work with other NGOs for children with multiple impairments;
ABA is the support of choice for many State-financed guidelines for services for children with autism in Italy, France, the US and the UK; however, not all families can undergo such intensive intervention and there is, therefore, a selection process to be followed.
Also, not all children progress at the same rate.
The Department for Inclusion and Access to Learning in collaboration with Equal Partners Foundation and the Walden Institute, ABA Centre have therefore joined forces to train and hopefully certify ABA tutors and psychologists to act as supervisors in Malta.
Prospective candidates must have a first degree in one of the following subjects: psychology, education, speech and language pathology or in any other similar degree.
A basic 30-hour training course in ABA-VB is being held from September 1 to 4. It will be conducted by Walden Institute president Carlo Ricci, Chiara Maguadda, a cognitive behaviour therapist and ABA-VB supervisor responsible for the Walden Centre, and Tanti Burlò.
For more information on the Walden accreditation process and the course, e-mail elena.tanti-burlo@um.edu.mt.
Colin Calleja and Elena Tanti Burlò are head and senior lecturer respectively at the University’s Department for Inclusion and Access to Learning.