VIDEO ONLY: Jonine Nazar-Biesman, Psy.D., ABPdN and Diane Cullinane, M.D., Developmental Relationship-Based Interventions (DRBI) for Autism and Related Neurological Correlates

Level of Activity: Intermediate Abstract: Developmental Relationship Based Interventions (DRBI) have emerged amidst decades of research as evidence-based approaches for the treatment of neurodevelopmental disorders, including Autism Spectrum Disorder. While ABA had been the "gold standard" for many years; more recently, DRBI has been recognized in well-regarded journals as being efficacious, in California legislation as outlined in SB805, as well as being emphasized by the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry in its recent policy statement (Expanding Access to Care for the Autism Community). In the current presentation, the research base and core foundations for DRBI will be shared as well as the central concepts of innate motivation for social engagement and learning; the importance of supporting parent- child and other relationships; and the neurology of innate motivation in both typical development and in ASD. The affective, motor, and sensory processing vulnerabilities underlying ASD and subsequent challenges with social connection are shown to be supported by helping those with ASD and their caregivers to lean into relationships, to intimately understand individual differences, and to subsequently establish meaningful progress through responsive and attuned connection. Conceptualizations that those with ASD lack innate motivation are challenged, as well as sole reliance on external motivators. Objectives: 1. Describe the key features of DRBI. 2. Discuss the role of innate motivation in DRBI. 3. Compare and contrast DRBI and Behavioral approaches. 4. Summarize the evidence of effectiveness of DRBI. 5. Identify the neuroscience regarding individual differences and innate motivation.