Neuro Strengths-Based Approach to Autism (NSBAA)

The Neuro-Strength-Based Approach to Autism (NSBAA) attempts to translate what research has discovered about the autistic brain into terms that autistics, and those involved with autistics, can understand. It is not intended to be a new approach to intervention but hopefully a unifying approach to understanding autism that all therapists, educators, clinicians, and parents can use when working with autistic individuals. It was developed by an autistic occupational therapist, based on her lifetime obsession of learning everything she could about how typical brains work, and, following her diagnosis, how the autistic brain works. Being on the autism spectrum herself and having worked with, and interacted with, autistic individuals of all ages and abilities in school, clinical, and personal settings, the author attempts to explain the autistic brain from both the scientific as well as autistic perspectives.

The Neuro Strengths-Base Approach to Autism is an approach developed from various research on how the autistic brain works, the approaches that work best to motivate autistic individuals, and how others can understand as well as support behaviors that may occur with autistic individuals.

The Neuro Strengths-Based Approach to Autism is an approach that teaches people how the autistic brain works and the best practices for providing intervention.

Measurable change in the participant's satisfaction with their ability to write neuro-strength-based goals

Participants will show a significant increase (50% or higher) in their ratings on the NSBSA Satisfaction With Writing and Implementing Goals For Autistic Clients given to them pre-training, 3 months post-training, and 6 months post-training. They will rate their satisfaction with 28 elements included in the NSBSA Training Modules using a rating scale of 1-5, with 1 being very dissatisfied and 5 being very satisfied. The highest possible score is 140 and the lowest is 28.

Participants will show a significant increase (50% or higher) in the number of goal components they are able to include in their goal, with a maximum of 8, and the number of questions that challenge their reasoning for what they include, with a maximum of 23, in the goals they submit using the Pre- and Post-Training Goal Writing Forms. The highest possible score is 31 if they complete all components and answer all questions. The lowest possible score is 0.

Participants will show a significant increase (50% or higher) in the score they receive on the Post-Training Goal Writing Form compared to the Pre-Training Goal Writing Form, using the Pre-and Post-Training Scoring for Goal Writing Form, with the highest possible score being +32 and the lowest score being -16 with an average score of 0.

Inclusion Criteria: 5-20 SLPs / OTR/Ls, regardless of nationality working in a clinical, home or school setting with less than 25 years of experience at least 2 years of experience working with autistic clients Exclusion Criteria: Minors adults unable to consent undocumented individuals prisoners, uncertified therapists therapists from Baio Enterprises.

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