Pivotal Response Treatment for Autism: A Guide for Psychiatrists and Support Providers

First described as a distinct category in 1943, autism was officially categorized in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders in 1980. Today, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate that 1 in 36 children and 1 in 45 adults in the United States have autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

For decades, applied behavior analysis (ABA) interventions were the standard for ASD. These sessions employed repetitive, drill-type practices to help patients manage interfering an...