The Unspoken Truth About Autism

by Savlov, Karen; Thiem, Cori (CON)

• ISBN13: 9781461195009
• ISBN10: 1461195004
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2012-03-16
• Publisher: Createspace Independent Pub

Summary

Mystery and controversy surround the etiology and clinical work with children diagnosed with an Autism Spectrum Disorder. Although many consider the etiology to be unknown, the majority of professionals working in the field of autism and parents of children with autism consider autism to be a brain disorder. As such, most research has emphasized the study of the brain. From this perspective, the clinical work with this population focuses primarily on techniques such as Applied Behavioral Analysis, sensory integration, modeling, and social skills development. The work done thus far with this population should be commended and not discounted. We are now ready to augment the present state-of-the-art work with this population by introducing Attachment Relational Therapy (ART). This therapy is similar to DIR(r)/Floortime(tm) and other relationally based therapies in that it emphasizes the relationship between the child and the therapist or caregiver. The major difference is that Attachment Relational Therapy introduces a treatment process (plan) that at its core is based on understanding the etiology of autism. It is author Karen Savlov's belief that the cause of autism is due to an incomplete attachment, which occurs within the first two to three years of life. Once the etiology is understood through this new lens, then the therapist or parent can understand how to engage with the child. From this alternative perspective, it is Savlov's belief that children on the spectrum have not had the advantage of a completed attachment. She calls this perspective Incomplete Attachment, and it is her belief that what one sees when observing children on the spectrum is a child who is waiting for the attachment process to be completed. The child is doing the best he/she can to cope with this predicament. All the behaviors such as flapping arms, nonverbal communication, echolalia, lack of responsiveness to others or inability to communicate one's needs, can all make sense when taken from this perspective.The author suggests that at the core of autism is the child's inability to use herself in relationship to others. This lack of a sense of self-agency evolves during the attachment phase of development and Savlov hypothesizes that the child is left in a waiting position and remains in this incomplete state of attachment until the caregiver and/or therapist understands this predicament and can respond appropriately. Within these pages, she hopes to illustrate how the child with autism can be mobilized to utilize herself through the use of understanding (empathy), acceptance, recognition, and validation.The writings contained in this volume will go into detail about this viewpoint and how one works with children, adolescents, and adults from this perspective. It is Savlov's belief that Autism Spectrum Disorders can also inform our understanding of psychological development in general and specifically Theory of Mind. Autism Spectrum Disorders can be viewed as a window into the understanding of how all typical individuals develop psychologically. Presenting a cutting-edge view of autism, its genesis, and potentially new treatment methodologies with demonstrable clinical success, The Unspoken Truth About Autism: A New Look at the Etiology and Treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorders is a fundamental reorientation of not only the view of autism and its origins but of human psychological development as a whole.