Method for treating pervasive development disorder

• US 7,217,133 B2
• Filed: 04/04/2003
• Issued: 05/15/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 04/04/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Easter Seals Dupage
• Original Assignee: Easter Seals Dupage
• Inventors: Thomas, Jeanine, Bodden, Jamie Ann, Burger, Lisa
• Primary Examiner(s): Cheng; Joe H.
• Application Number:
  US10/407,294
• Publication Number:
  US 20040241628A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,502 Days
• Field of Search: 434/118, 434/156, 434/185, 434236-238, 434/258, 434/350, 434/362, 434/365, 600/300, 600/544, 705/3, 424/773, 530/309, 345/753
• US Class Current: 434/236
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 23/28 for medicine

Abstract

A therapy-based method for increasing the communications skills of children diagnosed with Pervasive Development Disorder (“PDD”) through a combination of therapy steps performed in a particular order and for specific amounts of time. The method makes use of integrating language scripting, sensory integration, occupational and speech therapies, visual supports, and a structured routine, which teaches children diagnosed with PDD specific social-based interactions that improve the ability of those diagnosed with PDD to interact with others in common social settings.

Claims

1. A therapeutic method for treating an individual diagnosed with a pervasive development disorder (PDD) that integrates a structured routine with language scripting, sensory integration, integration of occupation and speech therapies, and visual supports, said method comprising the steps of:

first, engaging the individual in a group activity in which a plurality of participants interact socially with the individual;

second, engaging the individual in language scripting in which communications skills are taught to the individual through a written/pictorial or video format;

third, providing sensory integration to the individual in which the sensory integration consists essentially of deep pressure, proprioceptive input, vestibular input, or tactile input;

fourth, having the individual practice pre-scripted behavior observed in previous steps;

fifth, providing the individual in language scripting in which communications skills are taught to the individual through a written/pictorial or video format in response to the result of the individual'"'"'s practice; and

sixth, engaging the individual in the group interaction based on the modified learning environment;

thereby treating said persuasive development disorder in said individual.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of engaging the individual in group activity lasts for between 5–

10 minutes.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of engaging the individual in language scripting lasts for between 2–

3 minutes.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of providing sensory integration to the individual lasts for between 10–

15 minutes.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of having the individual practice scripted behaviors lasts for approximately 10 minutes.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the Pervasive Development Disorder is one of Autistic Disorder, Rett'"'"'s Disorder, Childhood Disintegrative Disorder, PDD-NOS (PDD—

Not Otherwise Specified), or Asperger'"'"'s Disorder.