Ziggurat Model (Autism Intervention)
The Ziggurat model refers to an organized schema and specifically dedicates itself to providing help to those individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). This involves addressing numerous areas in the individuals living situation, such as sensory, communication, social, and behavioral needs, which makes such a model an essential tool for effective autism intervention.
Ziggurat Model comprises key components that are to know the individuals' strengths and weaknesses, to formulate a comprehensive assessment of their needs, and to apply instruments with specific purposes for intervention. The components are arranged in a hierarchy, with the most basic building blocks such as sensory needs and communication skills at the bottom, which in turn support more complex social and behavioral skills.
The individual differences can be overcome through the use of the Ziggurat Model, which allows practitioners to adjust their interventions orientated to the person’s distinctive characteristic. For example, if a student is a visual learner while he/she has problems of verbal communication, the model recommends using visual supports and alternative communicational devices to improve learning and social interaction.
The Ziggurat Model is the model which is applicable in different options across the board, for example, that are present in schools, therapy centers, and home environments. Take for instance, the teachers who can use the model to develop individualized education plans (IEPs) by following the framework's principles thereby making sure which are the instructional strategies that are modified to address the various needs of the students with autism.
Caregivers play a vital role in the Ziggurat Model by collaborating with professionals to implement interventions effectively. The consistency of caregivers in different environments is a must; for example, they can introduce and practice communication strategies at home together with the therapist, thus, they would contribute to the generalization of the skills and the improvement of the individual's development.