Report: Interventions and Support for Autism and Prader-Willi Syndrome

This report provides a comprehensive overview of interventions and support strategies for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Prader-Willi Syndrome (PWS). It begins with a historical context of autism, then delves into specific interventions such as Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), Pivotal Response Training (PRT), and visual supports. The report addresses strategies for implementing these interventions with individuals like Alex, who learns visually, and Matthew, who has Prader-Willi Syndrome, focusing on weight management and behavioral interventions. Furthermore, it explores how to conduct activities like ten-pin bowling, considering underpinning values, legal requirements, and personal values. The report also examines how to minimize stereotypical attitudes during outings and identifies effective interventions and supports for families, emphasizing the importance of professional boundaries to ensure ethical and effective care. The report draws upon various theories and principles of disability support, offering practical guidance for caregivers and support workers.

Running head: SOLUTIONS REGARDING AUTISM AND PRADER-WILLI SYNDROME
SOLUTIONS REGARDING AUTISM AND PRADER-WILLI SYNDROME
Name of Student
Name of University
Author Note

1SOLUTIONS REGARDING AUTISM AND PRADER-WILLI SYNDROME
1. Explain how an understanding of the historical context and current
research relating to Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) might impact on
your support of Alex
Eugene Bluelar first coined the term “Autism” in 1911 to describe child psychology and
schizophrenia (Kanner & Asperger, 2016). Leo Kanner first addressed autism as the social
and emotional disorder in 1943 and observed a group of mentally disabled children who had
a problem regarding the development of speech and communication. Kanner’s study was one
of the pioneer observation, and later in 1944 Hans Asperger, a paediatrician studied a group
of mentally disabled children who showed a positive outcome, as they did not seek help for
completing their daily chores (Baron-Cohen, 2015). AIT (Auditory Integration Training) is
an effective training method proposed by Guy Bérard in 1970, but it became popular during
1991. The technique can be applied to the autistic children as it helps to control the raged
behaviour by sound sensitivity. Applied Behavior Analysis is another therapy, which can help
Alex and other autistic children. This process increases IQ of the autistic children and induces
functionality of learning.

2SOLUTIONS REGARDING AUTISM AND PRADER-WILLI SYNDROME
2. Explain how you might implement interventions and support
strategies when working with Alex. He is a bright, outgoing child, who
learns best visually. Provide three examples
Pivotal Responsive Training supports visual stimulation, multiple cues, self-management
and self-initiation and motivates language learning and the play skills. Other evidence-based
interventions are Augmentative-Alternative Communication, Picture Exchange
Communication System, Visual Support, modelling and interventions with emerging
evidence are play therapy, supportive therapy and activities based on developmental
relationship-based theory. The above-mentioned theories are highly recommended, and
scientifically proven theories, which will help Alex. Taking help of visual supports can be
very effective for him as autistic children are much interested in the picture-based
interactions. The play therapy is one of the most effective therapies, which is proven
scientifically and acknowledged worldwide as this helps to increase his spontaneity with his
interest. The recommended examples are; increase of usage of the picture during
communication, implementation of modelling which is generally used to store evidence
regarding the kid’s performance in a video document and the third one is TEACCH values.
TEACHH (Teaching, Expanding, Appreciating, Collaboration and Co-operation, Holistic)
values are practical approaches towards the autistic kid for widening the perspective.

3SOLUTIONS REGARDING AUTISM AND PRADER-WILLI SYNDROME
6. Explain how you might implement interventions and support
strategies for Matthew. According to the principles for evidence based
interventions and support strategies.
The most effective interventions of Prader Willi Syndrome are weight management,
mental health support, behavioural management, and restricting the eating disorder. The
interventions of Prader Willi Syndrome are based on the ABA (Applied Behavioural
Analysis) approach, incidental teaching, FCT (Functional Communication Training) and
LEAP (Learning Experiences and Alternative Program). The interventions are also applicable
to the complex need and moderate intellectual disability. The patients of Prader Willi
Syndrome tend to gain weight and overeating as well as they have behavioural issues
regarding communication. Eating habit of Matthew can be restricted, and the behavioural
interventions can be implemented with the methods. Incidental teaching helps him to increase
the understanding of some activities such as video games and some learning ability-based
games which engage the kids and the growing adults with the action and enhance the power
of adaptability and implementation.

4SOLUTIONS REGARDING AUTISM AND PRADER-WILLI SYNDROME
7. If you took Alex to play Ten-pin bowls because he wanted to learn a new
skill explain how you might conduct this support activity in the context of
the underpinning values , philosophies and legal requirements of the
sectors. Provide some Information about how you would teach the skill,
motivate learning and ensure maintenance of the skill.
RDI or Relationship Development Interventions can be applied to encourage him for
playing ten-pin bowl. RDI values can act as the stimulator as it engages the child for example
if the father or mother of the child pretends that he or she is unable to carry some language
the child will come and might help him or her. Thus applying the RDI principle bowling can
be taught. Autistics are not very good in direct communication sometimes; it can happen that
someone is saying something to the child but he or she cannot understand it or maybe could
not listen to it; so RDI might be a good option as it related to the body language. There are
many legal rights for the differently able people such as Individuals with Different Ability
Act, Free and Appropriate Public Education and Least Restricted Environment. The bowling
game can be taught by visual illustrations or by showing him systematic steps related to
learning. The conventional approaches to the social skill group, sensory integration with the
group of kids with whom he plays the game. Alex should be motivated, encouraged and
indulged with the process, and if he likes the environment or enjoys the bowling, he would
maintain that.

5SOLUTIONS REGARDING AUTISM AND PRADER-WILLI SYNDROME
8. How might your personal values and attitude about with a disability
affect your planning and implementing of support activity when working
with Matthew? Consider how you might cope with behavioural and health
related challenges.
Personal beliefs are basic ideas, which are related to a person’s surroundings and
upbringing. As a result, it can affect his or her values. Values defined people with their
priorities and actions as these lead a person towards the personal attitude and behaviour.
These values, beliefs drive everybody, so it is essential to maintain or to follow the positive
values and support positive beliefs. Matthew is a PWS patient, so he tends overeating, which
interrupts the diet plan and disrupts the weight-controlling plan. Nature of random picking is
another problem as people around him get irritated, and that causes disruption of the least
restricted environment with stubbornness and aggressive behaviour in him.
Most of the time, empathetic and supportive nature can resolve the issues, but
sometimes it gets more challenging to handle the situation. Sometimes he changes his
behaviour due to some visual diversion, or community visits are also very useful. Empathy,
friendship and patience are three main factors, which help to cope up with the situation.

6SOLUTIONS REGARDING AUTISM AND PRADER-WILLI SYNDROME
9. Explain how you might conduct an outing with Matthew in a manner
that minimizes the effects of stereotypical attitudes and myths.
Some stereotypical attitudes of people towards Prader Willi Syndrome affected people
or any disabled people are pitying them, feeling that they cannot do anything by their own
and many more. The myths related to the mentally disabled patients are the patients cannot do
any daily chores, they always stick to a wheelchair, they are fearful, and they are always in
pain.
A plan of outing might be very helpful to break the usual stereotypes, and if the plan
includes some fun activities or sports, it will be more productive and result in some positive
outcome. The outing can break the stereotypes regarding the inabilities of the patients and the
misconceptions. Matthew can do his works without taking any help and sometimes very
friendly to others.

7SOLUTIONS REGARDING AUTISM AND PRADER-WILLI SYNDROME
10. Identify five interventions and supports might be effective for the specific
needs for Alex and his family.
Five interventions and supports might be effective for the needs of Alex, and his
family are as follows;
Accepting the child with the disorder: Sometimes, it is harder for parents to accept the truth
that their child is differently able, which keeps them away from the child. Parents often fail to
be consistent support for their child, so the distance of the relationship makes the child
vulnerable.
Motivating the child in every step: rewarding the proper behaviour, inspiring them to
become creative and enjoying some fun activity or outing can be non-verbal intervention for
the child.
Personalize the treatment: Parents should not always be dependent on the medication and
the doctors. They should observe the strengths and weakness of the child. They should
perceive the motivation and demotivation factors to help the child more independently.
Make some definite rules: Sometimes, parents are very lenient towards the children, and
this tendency causes behavioural issues and stubbornness among them. Marking some places
as the safety zone in the house and rewarding them or giving them gifts for doing something
great can be useful.
Take professional help: Recommendations of professional advice are essential, and these
lead to the betterment of the life of the child. The community help centre, counsellors and
support workers can assist the parents and help them to look after the child.

8SOLUTIONS REGARDING AUTISM AND PRADER-WILLI SYNDROME
13. Explain why it is important to be aware of professional boundaries.
Professional boundaries are essential, especially for the health workers and the
support workers. Boundary crossing can damage the support worker- patients and affects the
relationship with the family members. The boundaries help to keep safe the vulnerable
patients from damage and disfranchise. Crossing the boundaries may cause burnout, turnover,
compassionate fatigue, moral distress and experience of adverse mental health issues. Taking
gifts and expensive things are formidable for a support worker through the relationship with
the patients is friendly. Various boundary crossings can lead to the boundary violation, which
results in the cancellation of license.

9SOLUTIONS REGARDING AUTISM AND PRADER-WILLI SYNDROME
References
Baron-Cohen, S. (2015). Leo Kanner, Hans Asperger, and the discovery of autism. The
Lancet, 386(10001), 1329-1330.
Kanner, L., & Asperger, H. (2016). Introduction to Autism.