Early Intervention

A study was conducted by examining an intervention that combines ABA therapy teaching methods with developmental “relationship-based” approaches has effectively improved IQ, language ability, and social interaction.

The study was a 5 year process that took place with 48 diverse children between ages 18-30 month old children with autism. These children were separated into two groups and received 20 hours of intervention a week and 5 hours of parent-delivered therapy a week. One of the groups was considered to be community-based programs of therapy. At the conclusion of this study, these children in the intervention group had an increase in IQ by nearly 18 points, and 18 point increase with receptive language.

The study also states that parental involvement and use of these strategies at home during daily routine and activities are an important piece to their child’s success and improvement.

Study finds early intervention highly effective (no date) Autism Speaks. Available at: https://www.autismspeaks.org/science-news/early-intervention-toddlers-autism-highly-effective-study-finds (Accessed: 07 July 2024).