News: Study Seems to Validate Importance of Early Intervention as Treatment for Autism

The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) funded a recent study, led by Geraldine Dawson, chief science officer of the advocacy group Autism Speaks, that showed early intervention begun at 18 months of age and continuing for two years may help children with autism improve. The study included 48 children from the ages of 18 to 30 months. The children were randomly placed in groups that received either the Early Start Denver Model (ESDM) or referred for less comprehensive intervention. The ESDM promotes family involvement in the therapy plan as well as individualized treatment and systematic instruction. ESDM focuses on communication and social interaction and includes "four hours of therapist-led treatment five days a week, plus at least five hours weekly from parents." While none of the children were considered "cured," the children in the ESDM group had increased IQ, increased language skills, and in some cases the original diagnosis was re-assessed to a less severe form of autism.

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