Brookes Publishing | Autism Expert Q&As: Dr. Robert Koegel

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Q&A with Dr. Robert Koegel
(originally posted April 2007)

photo: Dr. Robert Koegel (with Dr. Lynn Koegel)

Robert Koegel, Ph.D., (shown with Dr. Lynn Koegel) is director of the Koegel Autism Center at the University of California, Santa Barbara, where he is also professor of clincial psychology and professor of special education.

Dr. Koegel is internationally known for his work in the area of autism, specializing in language intervention, family support, and school inclusion.

Learn more about the Koegels' work at the Koegel Autism Center.

• Watch a before-and-after clip of PRT in practice

• Read an interview about what distinguishes PRT from other forms of effective therapy

• Discover 5 reasons to choose PRT

Q: What is the one thing you would say to a parent who has just found out her child has autism?

A: I would like to say 2 things.

1. Children with autism have many strengths and desirable qualities that need to be recognized

2. There have been many treatment research advances in recent years that greatly improve the prognosis for children with autism

The bottom line is that there is a lot of hope. The future should be happy.

Q: What book have you read lately that you are excited about?

A: Freakonomics. I would recommend it to anyone who is interested in looking at creative solutions for difficult problems.

Q: What inspired you to work with kids with autism?

Don't miss these Brookes books by Dr. Robert and Dr. Lynn Koegel:

Pivotal Response Treatments for Autism: Communication, Social, and Academic Development

Teaching Children with Autism: Strategies for Initiating Positive Interactions and Improving Learning Opportunities

Positive Behavioral Support: Including People with Difficult Behavior in the Community

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I was interested in applying the scientific method to solving difficult problems affecting human beings. Autism seemed like an area where there was great potential for science to come to the rescue.

Rapidly, I became attached to the children and their families, and as I saw improvements taking place, I became very excited about the potential for a bright future for these families.

Q: What do you see as the next breakthrough for autism?

A: I think we are on the verge of a cure. Behavioral interventions such as Pivotal Response Treatment are producing dramatic improvements in symptoms and in the overall condition of autism. The likely improvement in neural functioning and brain pathways suggests that, with further systematic research, we have the potential to soon be able to cure autism by building alternate neural pathways.

Obviously additional intensive research is necessary in order to accomplish this, but it should be possible given what we have already accomplished. I anticipate a cure for autism within our lifetimes.

Q: What is the greatest obstacle you have overcome in your work?

A: The biggest obstacle has been system change. Many advances in the field of education and health for children with autism suggest major systems changes are needed in these service delivery areas.

The educational system, especially the development of classroom models requires considerable and continuous change. Similarly the health care system, involving the delivery of intensive treatment for such a severe disorder as autism, requires change in order to allow for financially and fiscally responsible treatment delivery.

Changing systems is extremely difficult and frustrating. But, it can be done.

Q: What is the most rewarding experience you've had in working with a child with autism?

A: The look of happiness on the children's faces, and the concurrent expression of joy and hope on their parents' faces.