Summary of the National Standard Project - Essay Example

? Summary of the National Standard Project Summery of the National Standard Project Introduction The National Standard Project (NSP) aims at equipping the general public with knowledge on many behavioral and educational treatments that are supported by scientific proof presently available for people with ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorders). This is based on the fact that out of 150 children, one is thought to have ASD. The sky-rocketing statistics on cases of ASD has intrigued people to seek a variety of treatment options. Treatment selections have been complicated by the uncertainty about degree and validity of current researches in the matter. Therefore, informed decisions are made based on researches that present logical evidences. In regards to ASD, currently, several educational or behavioral treatments are accessible. However, the major differences in these interventions include consistency, quality, and quantity. The objectives of the National Standard Project as part of the National Autism Center initiative are to define skills, diagnosis, and age targeted for improvement of treatment options. It seeks to explore the current body research limitations on autism treatment. Also, it is concerned with strengthening of behavioral and educational treatments evidences that focus on ASD characteristics. Moreover, it aims supporting ASD evidence-based performance. The standards outlined by NSP will benefit service providers, caregivers, parents, and educators because they deserver to get easily accessible, reliable, and current information in order top make informed decisions on treatment. Financial considerations are approximated at 3.2 million dollars for each ASD individual. NSP is expected to reduce by 65% upon use of correct treatment. The National Autism Center is primarily concerned with availing trustworthy information, and endorsing best practices. Also it offers inclusive family, community, and practitioners with resources. It conducts researches and helps in reformulating policies related to ASD. Thus, the quality of life for people suffering from ASD and their relatives are enhanced by the National Autism Center professional Advisory Board. History of clinical Guidelines Medicine, education, psychology, and allied health are currently guided by evidence-based practice. The extent at which a research supports purported treatment for ASD should be taken into account by Decision makers. In regards to the educational interventions report published by the National Research Council Committee, there exists several limitations in the present clinical guidelines. These limitations include overdue of previous guidelines due to completion of reviews before 21swt century onset. Also, the report pointed out that a variety or broad range all behavioral and educational studies for ASD treatment were not included in those reviews. Emergence of evidence-based practice overruled previous guidelines that presented shallow details about each ASD treatment option. However, these limitations are addressed by NSP. NSP had published a thoroughly reviewed literature of behavioral and educational treatment that focused on associated ASD symptoms and Core characteristics between 1957 and 2007. Also, the project has availed information concerning effective treatment based on treatment targets, age, and diagnostic groups. In order to increase transparency, NSR has sought feedbacks at international and national conferences from professional and parents. Overview of the National Standard Project NSP was established to serve three major purposes. This include identification of the extent of behavioral and educational interventions evidence available presently applied to the study group mainly comprised of individuals with ASD and less than 22 years. NSR notes that the interventions explore the major features of the disorder thus, helps in effective treatment section. Also, it is focused at helping service providers, educators, caregivers, and parents to comprehend how to infuse critical thinking in treatment decisions making. This is inline with the guidelines that evidence-based performance encompasses amalgamation of research findings with data-based and professional decision making, preferences and values of families, and improving and evaluating the possibility of implementation of the intercession practices with high degree precision by the system. Furthermore, NSR aims at evaluating the current treatment research limitations with regards top ASD individuals. In order to achieve its objectives, NSP began by conducting a thorough literature review on evidence-based performance with the help of working group and methodologists who offered consultation services. Modifications on the initial model were based on response from the experts. Identification of the research emanated from exclusionary and inclusionary criteria of the identified review abstracts, which resulted into 1,060 review articles. I order to achieve its aim for the review; Persuasive Development Disorder, Asperger’s Syndrome, and Autistic Disorder were included to define ASD. According to the report, people with Childhood Disintegrative Disorder and Rett’s Disorder were not included due to the fact that ASD adopted criteria that was employed by Center for Disease Control and Prevention, there existed differences in these groups in regards to developmental trajectory, and presence of controversy as to whether to consider Asperger’s Syndrome, PDD-NOS, and Autistic Disorder in the same category. Inclusion measures included treatment that were implemented either in school systems, community based programs, hospital, and at homes. Peer-reviewed journals published articles were also included in the review. Exclusionary measures included limitation of study area that is behavioral and education treatments. Also it intends to review autism represented research participants. Outcomes According to the report, 11 treatments were identified as effective for people suffering from ASD because several controlled studies had proved they produced valuable effects. These included antecedent, behavioral, story based intervention, and peer training packages. Others were modeling, joint intervention strategies, natural teaching strategies, schedules, self management, and young children comprehensive treatment. To enhance a better understanding each treatment was elaborated in a tabular form to show number of studies conducted and associated treatment strategies. In regards to targeted treatment areas, it is worth noting that young children comprehensive treatment, antecedent, and behavioral package showed better outcomes with more than half of the expertise thus besieged to be increased. A decrease in behavioral package was noted due to its representation of three-quarter favorable behavior outcome. Smaller treatment range was exhibited with other effective treatments thus providing a better chance for extending research findings. In regards to age groups, favorable outcomes were demonstrated by all the established treatments. Moreover, similar outcomes have been demonstrated with several diagnostic groups. The reports suggest that specific treatment targets, diagnostic population, or age groups should not be excluded from established treatments. The results show that beneficial treatment outcomes can be produced by considering all established ASD treatments. Apart from the established treatments, NSP suggest that other emerging treatments can offer better outcomes. Such studies include initial, language, and training, exposure, exercise, and imitation based interactions. Further, NSP covers the unestablished treatments such as auditory, Gluten-and Casein, Sensory interactive package, and academics intervention since they cannot be excluded due to lack of reason. Lastly, the project illuminates on harmful or ineffective treatments. Their result is not completely unexpected. Recommendation for treatment selection Since selection of treatment for people suffering from Autism Spectrum Disorder is intricate, history and unique needs should be established by a team of people. NSP propose evidence-based practice advance as an effectual measure in selecting the treatment option. In regards to the study, it is recommended that established treatments should be considered seriously because they give important effects, give long-term results due to workability of the treatment, and they portray no hazardous effects. In addition, emerging treatments should be taken into account in cases where established treatments fail to suffice. Unestablished treatments should only be considered after conducting further research since it has not been established whether they are harmful, ineffective, or effective. However, NSP recommends that selection of an effective treatment should be done alongside other critical information sources. Evidence-based practice The project was primarily based on identifying evidence-based treatments since they eases treatment selection processes. Since evidence-based practices are complex, several factors are taken into account in order to identify a workable treatment. Such factors encompass research findings, professional judgment, value and preference, and capacity. Research findings enable strengthening of evidence for established treatments since they give effective benefits and do not give unfavorable outcomes. These findings facilitate explicit discussion of established treatments benefits. Autism Spectrum Disorder professional provide relevant information on whether the treatment are effective and in decision making. Moreover, preferences and values help in decision making in cases of incorrect implementation, violation of values of an individual and family members. Capacity consideration helps in service delivery, and comprehension of the processes. Limitations Several limitations were identified in the project in order to help the reader effectively use the document. To begin with, though the report exclusively focuses on people with ASD and under the age of 22 years, there exists no literature review for “at risk” children. Presence of current information in regards to the study group would help in implementation of the recommended effective treatments such as behavioral intervention to offer brain development at early ages. Similarly, literature related to adult ASD has not been reviewed in the document. The research does not review treatments for all individuals exhaustively. Moreover, inadequacy was noted in the way most categories were determined. There existed differences in selection of analysis units by the experts. The method of examination excluded every sort of study since it was concerned with research focused on quantifiable data. Literature review excluded other languages except for English. This calls for integration of interpreters for literatures in languages other than English. It is worth noting that the intensity of the identified intervention measures was not included in the study. Moreover, the project does not answer fundamental questions such as social validity, cost-effectiveness, moderating or mediating variables, and evaluation of analogue setting of the identified treatment. Future directions The project has achieved its objective of unearthing the shortcomings of the current literature through recommending areas that demand future investigations and by development of strength and scale for scientific merit scale rating. NSP suggest that all the identified treatments are subject to future research such as in the case of unestablished and emerging treatment in order to determine whether they are harmful or effective. In regards to methodology, technological advancement is expected to boost methods of diagnosis. It is expected that future scientific merit rigorous standards be met by researchers. Also it is expected that evidence classification system strength will expand in the future to show additional inquiry of scientific lines. Moreover, NSP is expected to include lifespan literature review, and qualitative studies in their study. Also, treatment classification modification will be relying on feedbacks. NSP expect to evaluate level of treatment studies in the laboratory versus real world. Frequently asked questions The project has included questions mostly asked in order to clarify misconceptions or areas that have not been understood by the audience or the general public. These include general questions over research techniques and unclear concepts in the project. Further, research questions have been listed to outline framework of the study. NSP expounds on the evidence rating and outcome by use of questions in this section. Appendices Appendix 1 NSP lists all the sources of literature that were reviewed to get information on the identified established treatment, emerging and unestablished intervention measures. Appendix 2 The project report shows the methods employed in analyzing of treatments identified in the study inclusive of the population that did not have ASD. References This section covers all the materials that were used in compiling the project. Index The index covers the treatment names that were mentioned in the project and the pages where they can be found. References National Autism Center. (2009). National standard project. Massachusetts: National Autism Center. Read More