Study: Autism Therapy Lessens Symptoms

The first rigorous study of behavior treatment in autistic children as young as 18 months found two years of therapy can vastly improve symptoms, often resulting in a milder diagnosis.

The study was small - just 48 children evaluated at the University of Washington - but the results were so encouraging it has been expanded to several other sites, said Geraldine Dawson, chief science officer of the advocacy group Autism Speaks. Dawson, a former University of Washington professor, led the research team.

Early autism treatment has been getting more attention, but it remains controversial because there's scant rigorous evidence showing it really works. The study is thus "a landmark of great import," said Tony Charman, an autism education specialist at the Institute of Education in London.

There's also a growing emphasis on diagnosing autism at the earliest possible age, and the study shows that can pay off with early, effective treatment, said Laura Schreibman, an autism researcher at the University of California at San Diego.

The National Institute of Mental Health funded the study, which was published online Monday in Pediatrics.

Children aged 18 months to 30 months were randomly assigned to receive behavior treatment called the Early Start Denver model from therapists and parents, or they were referred to others for less comprehensive care.

The therapy is similar to other types of autism behavior treatment. It focused on social interaction and communication - which are both difficult for many autistic children. For example, therapists or parents would repeatedly hold a toy near a child's face to encourage the child to have eye contact - a common problem in autism. Or they'd reward children when they used words to ask for toys.

Children in the specialized group had four hours of therapist-led treatment five days a week, plus at least five hours weekly from parents.

After two years, IQ increased an average of almost 18 points in the specialized group, versus seven points in the others. Language skills also improved more in the specialized group. Almost 30 percent in the specialized group were re-diagnosed with a less severe form of autism after two years, versus 5 percent of the others. No children were considered "cured."

Ashton Faller of Everett, Wash., got specialized treatment, starting at age 2.

"He had no verbal speech whatsoever, no eye contact, he was very withdrawn," recalled his mother, Lisa Faller.

Within two years, Ashton had made "amazing" gains, she said. Now almost 6, he's in a normal kindergarten class, and though he still has mild delays in social skills, people have a hard time believing he is autistic, Faller said.

The treatment is expensive; participants didn't pay, but it can cost $50,000 a year, Dawson said. Some states require insurers to cover such costs, and Autism Speaks is working to expand those laws.

[NikkiTD]

RESEARCH PARTICIPANTS WANTED!


Are you a New Jersey parent of a child with autism aged birth to 21 who is currently receiving or has received ABA interventions? If so we are seeking research participants for a study to be conducted. Participation in this study involves completing a brief online survey which will only take 5 to 10 minutes of your time. The purpose of the study is to determine parental perceptions as to the efficacy of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) teaching interventions for their children with autism.

If you are interested kindly contact: Nicole Turon-Diaz at 973-650-7986 or [e-mail]. You can also use the following link to go directly to the study and participate: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=_2bNMDc3EHUp8fM38T3KN_2f7w_3d_3d

Thank you!