Pivotal Response Treatment for Autism, 1e

Koegel
APA
pages
ISBN: 9798894550879
May 2025

First described as a distinct category in 1943, autism was officially categorized in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders in 1980. Today, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate that 1 in 36 children and 1 in 45 adults in the United States have autism spectrum disorder (ASD). For decades, applied behavior analysis (ABA) interventions were the standard for ASD. These sessions employed repetitive, drill-type practices to help patients manage interfering and disruptive behaviors that impeded learning. However, the children exposed to ABA often demonstrated a lack of enthusiasm and motivation. Pivotal response treatment (PRT) was developed to address this challenge, integrating motivational elements into interventions to achieve better, lasting outcomes.