Pivotal Response Treatment (PRT)
Pivotal response treatment (PRT) is a naturalistic ABA based treatment for Autism. In PRT, "pivotal" areas of development are targeted that include self management, initiation of social interaction, responding to social and communication cues and motivation. PRT produces large improvements in broader developmental areas by focusing on these vital skills. Skills are taught within activities that the child initiates and that the child is motivated to engage in. Reinforcement in PRT is very natural and is typically directly related to the behavior. For example, if a child says "toy" they are given that toy rather than an unrelated reinforcer such as a cookie. Parent training is a large part of PRT as PRT methods should be used throughout all the child's daily activities for optimal learning and benefits.
Pivotal Response Treatment Sessions
PRT is just one of the scientifically validated ABA methods implemented in each session by Morning Star ABA therapists. Each program is highly individualized to the learner and their particular needs. During each session communication, social skills, play and self care skills are taught while behavior reduction strategies are implemented for problem behaviors and excessive self stimulatory behaviors. As the child progresses, program modifications are made to ensure the child is learning new skills as well as maintaining recently learned skills. PRT focuses on keeping the motivation of each learner high by varying tasks, rewarding attempts or approximations, honoring child choice, alternating mastered tasks with acquisition tasks and using rewards that directly relate to the skill. Session organization varies with structured and unstructured segments. The therapist implements learning programs within activities and play that the learner chooses as this keeps motivation high and learning optimal.
Developers of Pivotal Response Treatment
Dr. Lynn Kern Koegel and Dr. Robert Koegel of the UCSB Autism Center are the developers of PRT. Their theory holds that if you develop "pivotal" areas of development it will result in widespread impovements. According to Dr. Lynn Koegel and Dr. Robert Koegel the four pivotal behaviors are; responding to multiple cues, motivation, self management and social initiations.
Click here more information on PRT from UCSB Autism Center
Click here more information on PRT from UCSB Autism Center
