Son-Rise: Difference between revisions
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==Outcomes== |
==Outcomes== |
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It remains controversial whether Raun was 'cured' from autism. The consensus within the medical community is that there is no cure for autism, and only a very few treatments have empirical evidence for any improvements in symptoms.<ref>Lack of support for interventions: |
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When Raun was 'cured' from autism, the idea that a child with autism could be 'cured' was quite controversial. Today the notion of "curing" autism is more accepted{{Fact|date=July 2007}}. For example, the Autism Research Institute claims that thousands of autistic children have "fully recovered" in the last five years. They are referring to children who benefited from the DAN protocol, a series of bio-medical treatments. The Son-Rise Program supports the use of the DAN protocol and it can be used in conjunction with their program. |
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*{{cite journal |journal= Dev Med Child Neurol |date=2005 |volume=47 |issue=7 |pages=493–99 |title= Autism interventions: a critical update |author= Francis K |pmid=15991872 |url=http://journals.cambridge.org/production/action/cjoGetFulltext?fulltextid=313204 |format=PDF}} |
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*{{cite journal |author= Herbert JD, Sharp IR, Gaudiano BA |title= Separating fact from fiction in the etiology and treatment of autism: a scientific review of the evidence |journal= Sci Rev Ment Health Pract |volume=1 |issue=1 |pages=23–43 |year=2002 |url=http://www.srmhp.org/0101/autism.html}} |
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The 'cure' assertion can still be a target of criticism from some critics who say that it encourages false hope. However, the Son-Rise Program makes clear that all children are different and face different degrees of challenge. Not all children will be cured, but placing limits on their development - and pronouncing what they will never do - can be counter-productive and, particularly in the past, has held people back from even trying. One of the beliefs espoused by Son-Rise is that hope leads to action. Their program is designed to give parents the tools to take action with their own child. |
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*{{cite book |title= Neurodevelopmental Disorders |editor= Fleischhacker WW, Brooks DJ |chapter= The effectiveness of interventions for children with autism |doi=10.1007/3-211-31222-6_6 |author=Howlin P |date=2005 |pages=101–119 |publisher=Springer |isbn=3211262911}}PMID 16355605. |
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*{{cite journal |journal= J Autism Dev Disord |date=2007 |title=Social skills interventions for children with Asperger's syndrome or high-functioning autism: a review and recommendations |author= Rao PA, Beidel DC, Murray MJ |doi=10.1007/s10803-007-0402-4 |pmid=17641962}} |
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In-house statistics of the Son-Rise Program, based upon parents' own evaluations of their children's changes, show a substantial improvements in [[language]], [[attention span]] and eye contact; however, to date there has been no independent [[research]] into the effectiveness of the program. The Son-Rise Program has applied for a grant from the [[National Institute of Health]] to hire an independent researcher, but have been unsuccessful in gaining funding thus far. |
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*{{cite journal |journal= J Clin Psychiatry |date=2005 |volume=66 |issue= Suppl 10 |pages=38–45 |title= Treatment planning for patients with autism spectrum disorders |author= Aman MG |pmid=16401149}}</ref> |
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In-house statistics of the Son-Rise Program, based upon parents' own evaluations of their children's changes, show a substantial improvements in [[language]], [[attention span]] and eye contact.{{fact}} The Son-Rise Program has applied for a grant from the [[National Institute of Health]] to hire an independent researcher, but have been unsuccessful in gaining funding thus far.{{fact}} A 2003 study found that involvement with the Son-Rise Program led to more drawbacks than benefits for the involved families over time, although family stress levels did not rise in all cases.<ref>{{cite journal |journal= J Intellect Disabil Res |year=2003 |volume=47 |issue=4–5 |pages=291-9 |title= The Son-Rise Program intervention for autism: an investigation into family experiences |author= Williams KR, Wishart JG |doi=10.1046/j.1365-2788.2003.00491.x |pmid=12787161}}</ref> A 2006 study found that the Son-Rise program is not always implemented as it is typically described in the literature, which suggests it will be difficult to evaluate its efficacy.<ref>{{cite journal |journal=Autism |year=2006 |volume=10 |issue=1 |pages=86–102 |title= The Son-Rise Program intervention for autism: prerequisites for evaluation |author=Williams KR |doi=10.1177/1362361306062012 |pmid=16522712}}</ref> |
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==Criticism== |
==Criticism== |
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Revision as of 05:02, 20 August 2007
Son-Rise is a treatment program for autism, autism spectrum disorders, PDD and other disabilities related to communication and intereaction. The program was developed by a former advertising executive Barry Neil Kaufman and his wife Samahria Lyte Kaufman. They developed the program in the late 1960's and early 1970's, while working with their own son, Raun, who was diagnosed with Autism as a toddler.
History
After Raun began displaying Autistic behaviors following a series of ear infections, the Kaufmans turned to the medical community for diagnosis and treatment. Unsatisfied with their responses, and the prognosis that Autism was incurable, they began a program of their own, based upon the idea that their child was engaged in these behaviors for a reason that made sense only to him. His parents tried to communicate with Raun not by overt attempts to force neurotypical behavior, but by imitating his endless rocking, plate spinning and other rituals, while gently introducing eye contact, speech, song, etc., for him to engage with if he would.
During the course of an intensive three year program, Raun's autistic behaviors regressed, and he appeared to 'emerge' and become a completely neurotypical child who went into mainstream school, developed friendships and went on to graduate from Brown University, an Ivy League school, majoring in BioMedical Ethics. By his parents' and his own accounts, he now leads a 'normal' life. In 1983, the Kaufmans founded what is now known as the Autism Treatment Center of America (ATCA) to offer other parents the opportunity to learn how to create a play-based home program for their own autistic spectrum children. The center is an independent non-profit organization, based in Sheffield, Massachusetts, and regularly offers seminars on its techniques which are attended by parents, caretakers and therapists from around the world.
In 1978, Barry Kaufman published a book, Son-Rise, about his son Raun's "triumph over autism", which he revised and added further material to in 1995. An NBC TV Movie of the same name was broadcast in 1979. Kaufman left his career in motion picture advertising to treat Autism, and to become a writer and consultant. Raun Kaufman's career has included stints with SCORE Education, a tutoring program popular in the United States. Presently, he is the CEO of the Autism Treatment Center of America, and is overseeing expansion of its treatment centers to the United Kingdom.
Treatment and philosophy
At the Autism Treatment Center of America, parents are given training in order to help them to encourage their child to interact and socialize more effectively. The acquisition of developmental skills plays an important role in the program, however the priority in a Son-Rise Program is encouraging socialization and communication abilities. While there are other programs that emphasize a play based therapy, such as Dr. Stanley Greenspan's DIR/Floortime model, one of the distinguishing features of Son-Rise is its emphasis on loving and accepting the child just as he or she is, with the idea that the autistic child "senses" your attitude through your voice, body language and non-verbal behavior.
The Son-Rise philosophy states that if you approach the child with a positive, loving attitude, the child is more likely to interact than if you engage with a sense of underlying anger, despair, hopelessness and desperation. The idea is based upon the belief that any child, even an autistic child, is more likely to thrive by means of interaction and play with others who are having fun with the child and enjoying what the child enjoys. As the child engages with parent or caregiver, a constant attempt is made to expand the child's interest beyond "self-stimulating" behaviors.
Many parents struggle to accept their child's diagnosis and the unique behaviors of autism. It is not uncommon for parents to experience guilt and/or fears for the future. Son-Rise finds that, by offering parents support in these areas, many parents are able to attain a greater degree of comfort playing with their child and in their day to day life with their child. This attitude, combined with specific play strategies, gives parents a greater opportunity to encourage more of the type of interactions that they wish to create with their child.
Outcomes
It remains controversial whether Raun was 'cured' from autism. The consensus within the medical community is that there is no cure for autism, and only a very few treatments have empirical evidence for any improvements in symptoms.[1] In-house statistics of the Son-Rise Program, based upon parents' own evaluations of their children's changes, show a substantial improvements in language, attention span and eye contact.[citation needed] The Son-Rise Program has applied for a grant from the National Institute of Health to hire an independent researcher, but have been unsuccessful in gaining funding thus far.[citation needed] A 2003 study found that involvement with the Son-Rise Program led to more drawbacks than benefits for the involved families over time, although family stress levels did not rise in all cases.[2] A 2006 study found that the Son-Rise program is not always implemented as it is typically described in the literature, which suggests it will be difficult to evaluate its efficacy.[3]
Criticism
Critics of the Son-Rise program point to the lack of hard statistical results, and dismiss its many anecdotal (yet verifiable) stories of success. Others suggest that Raun was never truly autistic. Others state that the program is too intensive for many parents to see through to success.
Other criticisms focus on Barry Neil Kaufman, and the fact that he chose to make a profession of authoring books about his philosophy, and his founding of a non-profit institute offering classes based upon his life perspectives and experiences.
The most vehement critics state that the Kaufmans offer false hope and that the entire enterprise is simply a money-making operation. However, the recent BBC Documentary titled "I Want My Little Boy Back" showed, in detail, one family's experience with the program, with results that far exceeded the parents' hopes.
The National Autistic Society points out the high cost of the program, as well as the lack of (and resistance to) formal scientific evaluations.[4] The program is also of uncertain use with older children, and may work best with individuals who have a 'certain level of potential'.[5][6] Son-Rise is also very volunteer-intensive with high turnover, and may require parents to fill in staffing gaps.[7][4] In addition, professionals have questioned the emphasis placed on eye contact and its potential aversiveness for some children.[4]
See also
Footnotes
- ^ Lack of support for interventions:
- Francis K (2005). "Autism interventions: a critical update" (PDF). Dev Med Child Neurol. 47 (7): 493–99. PMID 15991872.
- Herbert JD, Sharp IR, Gaudiano BA (2002). "Separating fact from fiction in the etiology and treatment of autism: a scientific review of the evidence". Sci Rev Ment Health Pract. 1 (1): 23–43.
{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - Howlin P (2005). "The effectiveness of interventions for children with autism". In Fleischhacker WW, Brooks DJ (ed.). Neurodevelopmental Disorders. Springer. pp. 101–119. doi:10.1007/3-211-31222-6_6. ISBN 3211262911.PMID 16355605.
- Rao PA, Beidel DC, Murray MJ (2007). "Social skills interventions for children with Asperger's syndrome or high-functioning autism: a review and recommendations". J Autism Dev Disord. doi:10.1007/s10803-007-0402-4. PMID 17641962.
{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - Aman MG (2005). "Treatment planning for patients with autism spectrum disorders". J Clin Psychiatry. 66 (Suppl 10): 38–45. PMID 16401149.
- ^ Williams KR, Wishart JG (2003). "The Son-Rise Program intervention for autism: an investigation into family experiences". J Intellect Disabil Res. 47 (4–5): 291–9. doi:10.1046/j.1365-2788.2003.00491.x. PMID 12787161.
- ^ Williams KR (2006). "The Son-Rise Program intervention for autism: prerequisites for evaluation". Autism. 10 (1): 86–102. doi:10.1177/1362361306062012. PMID 16522712.
- ^ a b c Hauser, Carolina (January, 2005). "The Son-Rise Program". National Autistic Society. Retrieved 2007-03-28.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ Jordan, R.; Powell (1993), "Reflections of the Option Method as a Treatment for Autism", Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 23: 682–685
- ^ Williams, K.; Wishart, J. (1999), "The Experience of Families Implementing the Son-Rise Program Intervention for Autism", Research into Therapy: Collected papers from the conference organised by the Autism Research Unit: 91–102
- ^ Macey, E. (1996), "Using the Option Approach in Schools", Autism on the Agenda. A collection of papers from a National Autistic Society Conference: 203–205