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| International Paper Session - Outcomes for Children with ASDs |
| Sunday, May 27, 2007 |
| 4:30 PM–5:20 PM |
| Douglas A |
| Area: AUT |
| Chair: Erik Jahr (Akershus University Hospital, Norway) |
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| Early Prediction of Differential Effectiveness of Behavioral Treatment. |
| Domain: Applied Research |
| ERIK JAHR (Akershus University Hospital, Norway), Sigmund Eldevik (Center for Early Autism Intervention, Oslo, Norway) |
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| Abstract: Children with autism do not constitute a uniform group in terms of responsiveness and long term benefit following intensive behavioural treatment. Earlier studies and reviews suggests that after long term treatment, children may divide into three groups in terms of outcome, with one group showing exceptional improvements into normal functioning, one group with intermediate improvements and a remaining group showing few or no improvements despite intensive efforts. Early identification of these groups may be immensely important in order to improve programming and thereby increase the effectiveness of the intervention but also to be able to offer alternative approaches at an early stage for children with minimal progression.
In a Norwegian, early intervention program, 30 children were assessed with a uniform test of skills (ASK) covering basic, intermediate and advanced areas conducted at intake and repeatedly during the first 12 months in intensive treatment. Early responsiveness to treatment and achievements on standardized assessments after one year of treatment were analyzed. Differential responsiveness to treatment and prediction of outcome will be discussed. |
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| Outcome of Comprehensive Psycho Educational Interventions for Young Children with Autism. |
| Domain: Applied Research |
| SVEIN EIKESETH (Akershus University College, Norway) |
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| Abstract: This paper evaluates psycho educational research on early intervention for children with autism. Twenty three outcome studies were identified. Eighteen studies evaluated behavioral treatment, 3 studies evaluated TEACCH and 2 studies evaluated the Colorado Health Sciences Project. Outcome studies are graded according to their scientific value, and subsequently graded according to the magnitude of results documented in the studies. Based on the available evidence, treatment recommendations are made and practice parameters were suggested. It was concluded that behavioral treatment is demonstrated effective in enhancing global functioning in young children with autism and PDD-NOS. |
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| The Effectiveness of Behavioral Early Intervention for Children with Autism: A Meta-Analysis. |
| Domain: Applied Research |
| MARIA MAKRYGIANNI (University of Wales, Swansea), Phil Reed (University of Wales, Swansea) |
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| Abstract: Behavioral Early Intervention (BEI) has been distinguished as a beneficial early intervention approach for children with Autistic Spectrum Disorders (ASD). However, the findings of the relevant studies are controversial, revealing that BEI programs may not be equally effective in all cases. The possible causes of such differential effectiveness should be examined with respect to the factors in the BEI, the child, and the family. All these factors may have either direct, or moderating, impact on the efficacy of the BEI. The purpose of the presented meta-analysis of outcome effectiveness studies is to explore the impact and predictive strength of some selected factors, and to compare the behavioral approach with other approaches. Some of the assessed factors are the intensity and duration of BEI program, as well as the age, the IQ, the adaptive behavior, and language abilities of the child at intake. The crucial factors impacting on the BEI program's effectiveness are identified and discussed. |
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