| Autistic children can benefit from therapy |
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| Written by Amanda Curry, Daily Vidette Senior Staff |
| Monday, 07 December 2009 02:11 |
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According to a study of behavior treatment in autistic children, therapy for children as young as 18 months lasting two years proved that symptoms of autism can be decreased. The study, funded by The National Institute of Mental Health, randomly assigned 48 children between 18 and 30 months to receive behavior treatments called the Early Start Denver Model from parents and therapists. “The current evidence suggests behaviorally-based treatments have the best outcomes. The Denver Model discussed incorporates some behavioral components, such as pivotal response training, but is different than other researched approaches in that it begins at an earlier age, targets social interactions as a primary focus of where treatment should begin and involves family members more fully than previously researched treatments,” said Karla Doepke, professor of psychology and director of autism service. The children had four hours of therapist-led therapy five days a week, as well as at least five hours weekly from their parents. After two years, their IQ increased an average of almost 18 percent. Language skills improved and almost 30 percent of the children were rediagnosed with a less severe form of the autism after the two-year pe- riod was over. Though no children were “cured.” Julia Stoner, associate professor of special education, explained children with autism have varying degrees of abilities. The type of therapy provided for each child may differ, however, most children have the common characteristics [for therapy] which include: a highly supportive teaching environment, predictability and structured routines, a functional approach to behavior issues, strategies to aid during transitions and family involvement. Doepke explained these treatments could result in improvements in the child’s communication, socialization and behavior, as well as improvement in family functioning. “Autism spectrum disorder is a neurologically-based disorder. Early intervention takes advantage of the plasticity of the brain early in development,” she said. “There is also ample evidence to suggest, for autism and other developmental disorders, that the earlier intervention starts, the larger the treatment gains are likely to be,” she said. “However, it is important to remember that even with intensive, early intervention, not all children with autism spectrum disorder show dramatic improvement.” These methods are expensive and can cost up to $50,000 a year. Some states require insurance to cover the costs and Autism Speaks is working to improve this, according to a CNN article. “Therapy can be expensive, applied behavior analysis [ABA] can be expensive because of how labor intensive it is. At home parents can do therapy such as ABA but they do need training from a professional,” Stoner said. “Unfortunately, research indicates that intensive intervention is key to progress; the Denver Model is considered less intensive, but still is 25 hours per week,” said Doepke. “It is expensive, but evidence also indicates that without early intervention, children do less well, and grow up to be less independent adults and become an economic drain to society rather than an economic contributor. So, I think the sole cost of treatment should not rest with the parents, but with the broader community. “Universities are prime places where treatment to these children can be offered at a lower cost because we have lots of energetic people [undergraduate and graduate clinicians] who could benefit from learning about treating individuals with ASD; we can actively evaluate treatment outcomes [research], and we can access grant support that is not available to individual’s families,” she continued. “Here at ISU, individuals with ASD and their families receive services that are lower cost through the departments of psychology, special education and communication sciences and students simultaneously receive valuable training experiences.” |
