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The autistic child: A challenge for educators
Author(s) -
McDonald James E.,
Sheperd George
Publication year - 1976
Publication title -
psychology in the schools
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.738
H-Index - 75
eISSN - 1520-6807
pISSN - 0033-3085
DOI - 10.1002/1520-6807(197607)13:3<248::aid-pits2310130302>3.0.co;2-2
Subject(s) - autism , psychology , etiology , cognition , developmental psychology , psychotherapist , psychiatry
Our knowledge of infantile autism, albeit inconclusive and controversial, has improved since Kanner's initial description in 1943. However, there is still no agreement regarding etiology, diagnosis, or methods of treatment for these children. As a result, autism remains an obscure, ill‐defined and poorly understood child psychopathy. Efforts directed at diagnosis and etiology are often far removed from issues of necessity for educators in planning day to day instructional activities for autistic children. Educators require information that is specific and focused, and which directs the teacher in his selection of methods and materials. With time and more research targeted on techniques and agents of change, specific methods appropriate for educational, social and behavioral remediation will emerge. This article discusses general aspects of our knowledge about autism, as well as behavioral and cognitive characteristics of autistic children. Attention is also directed toward treatment techniques, especially those of direct use for the educator.