| Abstract: | This paper makes reference to three variables concerning autism; namely, diagnostic, aetiological and type of treatment. Diagnostic variables provided, through broad definition, for some communality of findings among the research. Aetiological variables provided little, if any, communality. Treatment programs have also differed but parameters for their evaluation have been suggested. These parameters are (a) a delineation, in an educational context, of presenting behaviours, (b) an analysis of what measurable variables maintain these behaviours, (c) procedures should have high levels of reproducibility and generalisation, and (d) treatment programs should aim for community maintenance for the child through educational and parental intervention. With these parameters in mind, the efficacies of psychogenically oriented programs have been discussed with reference also having been made to formulations of mental retardation and perceptual deficit. Only behaviour management programs met all four criteria. |
