Autism Therapy: early intervention (EI)

definition of early intervention (EI): Assessment and treatment of a child as early as possible. Early intervention typically describes treatment between the ages and 0 and 3 and certainly before the age of four.

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Change in Autism Classification with Early Intervention: Predictors and Outcomes
Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, by Itzchak, EB, and Zachor DA, published in 2009, summarized Sep 14, 2010

Children with autism who have decent receptive language skills are most likely to improve with early intervention.

This study looked at a wide range of factors that might result in a change in autism diagnosis after intervention. The study focused on groups of children whose autism changed or stayed stable after intervention. They then looked to see what types of children were most likely to change their autism status. They found that the child’s age, level of skills, and parents’ ages were not linked to changes in autism status. The authors found that those children who were improved post-intervention improved in both verbal and visual skills.


Autism Spectrum Disorders in Young Children
Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Clinics of North America, by de Martinez-Peraza, F. L., and Carter AS, published in 2009, summarized Feb 12, 2010

Early diagnosis of autism may lead to effective early intervention.

This review article gives an overview of diagnosis, testing, and therapy options for children with autism. Details focus on children with autism or pervasive developmental disorder-not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS). Autism may be diagnosed based on problems with social interactions and communication. A child with autism also may have repetitive behaviors. The Academy of Pediatrics recommends routine autism screening between 18 to 24 months of age. Early intervention therapy may be designed to offer the best chance for learning at each stage of development. The authors suggest that physicians monitor younger brothers and sisters of children with autism for symptoms of autism. Therapists and physicians may also consider that parents face more stress when faced with an autism diagnosis for their child and suggest family therapy for the parents.


The Early Start Denver Model
Journal of Early Intervention, by Vismara, LA, and Rogers SA, published in 2008, summarized Jan 4, 2010

A twelve-week individualized parent-child education program may be able to help very young children who are at risk for autism.

To date, most studies of children with autism focus on preschoolers who are 3 to 5 years old. This case study describes a nine-month-old infant who was at risk for autism. He was entered into the Early Start Denver Model (ESDM). The infant was later diagnosed with Pervasive Developmental Disorder-Not Otherwise Specified (PDD-NOS) and then recovered from his delays by the age of 24 months. The ESDM intervention focuses on teaching parents techniques to interact with their infants who are at risk for autism. The authors suggest that the ESDM parent-training intervention may be a good model for early intervention services for infants and toddlers with autism and their families.


Effects of Individual and Neighborhood Characteristics on the Timeliness of Provider Designation for Early Intervention Services in New York City
Journal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, by Kim, C., Disare K., Pfeiffer M., Kerker BD, and McVeigh KH, published in 2009, summarized Aug 26, 2009

Some families may experience delays in getting therapy services for their children under 3 years of age in New York City.

This article describes a study of 14,623 children in New York City who had developmental delays that required therapy services in 2004. The children were under 3 years of age. In New York City, children with developmental delays are given an Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) to define the services that are needed for that child. Ideally the child would start therapy services within 21 days of getting their IFSP. The authors said that some children had to wait longer than 21 days to get therapies. The percentage of children who had to wait varied for different therapy services. The highest was 13% for speech therapy, and the lowest was 4% for physical therapy. People in this study who lived in low-income or Spanish-speaking neighborhoods had more service delays than people who live elsewhere.


Showing 1-4 of 40 results

Organization Prepares Kids with Down Syndrome and Autism for Life Beyond Kindergarten

May 16, 2012

The Association for Children with Down Syndrome/Lifetime Service for Individuals with Special Needs (ACDS) knew that their work with kids with Down enabled them to help kids with other special needs. Many kids with Down syndrome also are diagnosed with autism. They have increased their programming to help kids prepare not only for kindergarten, but for the grades and life to follow. Michael Smith, executive director of ACDS, said, “The very nature of Down syndrome made it feasible for the school to serve other populations. The different kinds of challenges presented by the disorder are so vast, working with a Down syndrome population has trained the ACDS staff to deal with all sorts of issues.” ACDS focuses on early intervention and Preschool preparation. Classrooms are filled with special needs kids and neurotypical kids; the kids have learned well together. The school looks typical, but is very visual and contains a sensory gym, and iPads have been recently added to improve communication and social skills.

Read original article: ACDS Prepares Students for Kindergarten and Life Beyond


Small Autism Support Center Struggles to Help Families with Autism

May 4, 2012

Central Coast Autism Spectrum Center in San Luis Obispo, running on a shoestring, is able to offer support to 10-15 area families. Currently they offer early intervention in the form of ABA, speech therapy, social skills, with the goal of mainstreaming the kids. In addition, the center is the only one in the country to offer training and education to professionals in the field of autism. While funds are always needed, the center has demonstrated that as small as they are, they can still make a difference.

Read original article: For SLO County Families Dealing with Autism, There is Help


Firefly Autism is Organization that Helps Families Learn to Live with Autism

Apr 26, 2012

In this article, we’ve highlighted an interview with Kecia Adams-Wright, the outreach coordinator for Firefly Autism. This Denver CO organization was founded to help teach families about autism and how to best live their lives. Firefly Autism uses applied behavior analysis (ABA) and individual focus on a child’s development and unique interests. Their therapies are woven in with play and “turning ‘can’ts’ into ‘cans’”. The video clip shows kids at Firefly Autism using the facilities and therapies ranging from early intervention into outreach and clinical services.

Read original article: Nonprofit Helps Families Learn to Live and Learn with Autism


Calvary Victory Centre Provides Therapies to Malaysian Children with Autism

Mar 28, 2012

For the past ten year, Calvary Victory Centre (CVC) has provided therapies to Malaysian children with autism. Families are learning about CVC from other parents whose children attend the center. CVC’s mission statement is “to enable the unable to be able.” Not only do they use the TEACCH method, early intervention, and sensory integration, but they also assist the older children in learning job skills. The CVC currently offers simple cooking skills in their cafeteria and will soon employ students at a new café, CVC Delights.

Read original article: Teaching the Autistic to be Independent


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Please comment on this autism topic.

Responding to insurance

Sep 13, 2011 by Anonymous

I live in North Carolina.  My daughter was diagnosed with autism and in the hopes of getting the best treatment and intervention available, she is being left behind. Her insurance, medicaid, pays for very little of her early intervention services.  And to add to our disappointment, medicaid does not pay for ABA services.  


Responding to picture exchange communication system (PECS)

May 20, 2011 by Anonymous

My daughter who has ASD was taught using the PECS SYSTEM at her school and I also used the same method at home using my homemade pictures to communicate with my daughter when she was about 4 rs old. She's now thirteen and I can't get her to stop talking. I thought my daughter would never talk again. I think the PECS SYSTEM should be used for Early Intervention for children with delayed speech with Autism.

Ms Trauma F Newell


Responding to picture exchange communication system (PECS)

May 20, 2011 by Anonymous

My daughter who has ASD was taught using the PECS SYSTEM at her school and I also used the same method at home using my homemade pictures to communicate with my daughter when she was about 4 rs old. She's now thirteen and I can't get her to stop talking. I thought my daughter would never talk again. I think the PECS SYSTEM should be used for Early Intervention for children with delayed speech with Autism.

Ms Trauma F Newell


Alternative therapy and medicine

Jan 5, 2011 by Anonymous

 


 It is even more important to "do no harm" when it comes to medicine because it often does more harm than alternative therapies. I am an RN who works in early intervention. Do whatever it takes to help your child, but be extremely careful with medicine. The side effects are often worse than the condition.


Showing 1-4 of 19 results

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