Pivotal response therapy

Pivotal response therapy (PRT), also referred to as pivotal response treatment or pivotal response training, is a behavioral intervention therapy for autism. Pivotal response therapy advocates contend that behavior hinges primarily on two 'pivotal' behavioral skills, motivation and the ability to respond to multiple cues, and that development of these skills will result in overall behavioral improvements.

History
Initially attempts to treat autism were mostly unsuccessful, and in the 1960s researchers began to focus on behavioral intervention therapies. Lynn and Robert Koegel theorized that, if effort was focused on certain pivotal responses, intervention would be more successful and efficient. As they saw it, developing these pivotal behaviors will result in widespread improvement in other areas. Pivotal Response Theory (PRT) is based on a belief that autism is a much less severe disorder than originally thought.

Theory
The two primary pivotal areas of pivotal response therapy involve motivation and self-intiated activities. Three others are self-management, empathy, and the ability to respond to multiple signals, or cues. Play environments are used to teach pivotal skills, such as turn-taking, communication, and language. This training is child-directed: the child makes choices that direct the therapy. Emphasis is also placed upon the role of parents as primary intervention agents.

The effectiveness of pivotal response therapies has yet been proven, but ongoing research of its effects on autistic children is being conducted.