At the present time, there is no medication that cures or dramatically improves the core symptoms of autism or other conditions that affect social learning. Medications can, however, have an important role in alleviating some of the behavioral and emotional problems that can accompany these conditions.  
The DNP offers consultations regarding medication and will provide recommendations to medical providers in the patient’s local community. The DNP also offers ongoing treatment for patients who reside within commuting distance of the DNP. 
Our approach to consultation regarding medication has three aspects:

• We seek to identify any relevant medical or psychiatric condition (s) or environmental factor (s) that, if addressed, might eliminate or reduce the need for medication. 
• We review previous records and review in detail with the family (and/or patient as appropriate) all prior experiences with  medications, both in terms of positive responses and side-effects (behavioral, physical or cognitive). 
• If we recommend medication(s), the recommendation is based on available research evidence for the effectiveness and relative safety of the medication(s). This evidence is shared in detail so that the family (and/or patient) can make a fully informed decision.

Behavioral Treatments

The skills involved in activities of daily living, social communication, and   leisure activities are important to self-esteem and independence. The skills training programs offered by the DNP are highly individualized based on the needs, strengths, and interests of the individual. Our team uses a wide variety of techniques associated with applied behavior analysis and with other evidence-based interventions such as self-monitoring or video self-modeling to teach adaptive behaviors.

For patients at a higher level of functioning, individual and small group therapy  includes innovative, evidence-based approaches such as self-monitoring and video self-modeling together with basic behavioral and cognitive-behavioral strategies.

Individual supportive therapy, is offered to school-age children, adolescents, and adults who are experiencing difficulties with transitions and independence. It may include medication, individual counseling, and family counseling

Our team provides consultation to schools and other organizations.  Requests for school consultation may be initiated by parents or school districts. School consultation services may include:

• Functional behavioral assessment and development of a treatment plan for an individual student
• Suggestions for educational programming for an individual student
• Administrative consultation to improve overall behavioral and educational programming for students with disabilities.
• In-service trainings on autism and related conditions, functional behavioral assessment, and behavioral intervention using a bio-behavioral model.

While a wide range of intervention programs exist for children with ASD, remarkably little effort has been directed towards developing skills associated with academic success such as reading and math. Yet, our experience has shown that many, if not most, children with autism show great interest in these areas. This is true—even of children who display little or no ability to speak.

To enable the children to capitalize on their potential, the DNP offers A Light on Learning, a set of reading and math programs developed and directed by Dr. Marion Blank.  The programs combine specialized techniques in producing written symbols (both letters and numbers), the attraction of the computer, and tightly-constructed teaching modules to allow children to achieve high levels of skill in both language and math.