Childhood autism and the effect of an integrated preschool program

Effective early intervention is essential to the social and behavioral growth of autistic children. Commonly, this disorder may go unidentified as its symptoms are diagnosed as other impairments, thus limiting the chances that such children are granted the opportunity to realize their fullest potential. This study examines the importance of early intervention as it reviews the historical and present day theoretical practices relating to the education of autistic children.; The research conducted involves a case study of a two-year-old boy who exhibits autistic-like behaviors. The purpose of the study is to determine the effects of a mainstreamed preschool program on the behavior of a child with autistic-like behavior. The boy is observed while enrolled in a mainstream preschool program over a two-year-period. The data collection processes include naturalistic observation and journal entries, as well as quarterly interviews and questionnaires completed by parents. Interventions included an age appropriate curriculum, methods of behavior modification and discipline that increase appropriate behavior and encouraged proper social skills. Integrating the subject with children of typical development was the most essential feature of the study as their age appropriate behavior and social skills were utilized for him to model.; The research is based on multidisciplined information, as it focuses on issues relating to early childhood psychology as well as early childhood education. The overview of the study is based on the premise that autistic children are educable and able to develop to their fullest ability if given the proper interventions. Various preschool programs and curriculums are presented and analyzed to determine the most effective and beneficial applications of education for children with autism. They included those from both the public and private sector, self-contained and inclusive programs, as well as those which are a combination of both.; The researcher noted that none of the child psychologists nor medical doctors by whom Lenny was seen, considered him to exhibit behavior that was abnormal, which proved that many are not trained appropriately to recognize symptoms of early childhood disorders. Unfortunately, without a proper diagnosis, Lenny is not eligible for those early interventive services for which he is in desperate need. The research stressed the importance of providing a child with Lenny's overall behavior with the most effective early intervention. Failure to do so could interfere with the child's ability to reach the appropriate developmental milestones, such as in Lenny's case. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)...