According to Dr. James Ball on p. 156 of Early Intervention & Autism, in most cases "the child will need to start off in a behaviorally-based program," then as the child acquires basic functioning skills, they can make more progress and benefit from a relationsip-based model such as the DIR/Floortime method which Dr. Ball   specifically endorses when used in this way. 
In my practice I am careful to follow the best practices that are recommended by the most respected experts in the field such as Dr. Ball of the Autism Society and Dr. Greenspan of DIR/Floortime based in Bethesda, Maryland.

 "A Good ABA- based program makes learning fun and enjoyable for the child, while still incorporating the basic principles of behaviorism . . ." p. 152 in Dr. Ball's book.

"DIR/Floortime is a very natural way of teaching and the environment is based on play and social interaction, typically difficult yet highly important areas of mastery for the child with ASD."  p. 156 in Dr. Ball's book. 

Even before I became a therapist, I learned about autism from being around my father's cousin who liked very large things, who hated loud sounds, and who could remember and recite an entire sermon word for word. We never had a word for Robert's problem, but years later when I saw the movie, Rainman, I said--"that's Robert!"                                    

Most of my work with children is after school from 3 -6:30 pm, therefore I am able to see some adult clients during the day. And I often have clients who are in college or are going to be in college.

In graduate school I learned the therapeutic approaches and techniques that are considered the most important and effective. Of these, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is generally used by most psychotherapists and works well with most clients. I use CBT along with a client-centered, empathic approach. I have even adapted CBT to work with  children and teens--e.g. I create original activities and games that help children listen and learn to think about good choices versus poor choices in a way that is fun and not so threatening.

-2001 Master's Degree in Social Work
-2002 Received MD Social Work license which requires 40 hours of Continuing Ed every 2 yrs.
-2002-2005 Family Support Services
-2005-2011 IISS staff and Family Trainer for a MD Autism Waiver provider
-2008-09 Completed 26 hrs of Child-Centered Play Therapy in Bethesda, MD.
-2010 Approved by State of MD to be an Autism Waiver Provider
-2010 Received a Certificate of Mastery for the Basic Course on The Greenspan Floortime Approach   

-2012 Received LCSW-C MD state social work clinical license

-2013 to present - continue to accrue required CEUs each year to maintain my MD LCSW-C clininal license.