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| Outcome of Early Intensive Behavioral Intervention for Children with Autism I |
| Monday, May 25, 2009 |
| 1:30 PM–2:50 PM |
| North 131 BC |
| Area: AUT/DDA; Domain: Applied Behavior Analysis |
| Chair: Arthur E. Wilke (Center for Autism and Related Disorders, Inc.) |
| Abstract: A significant amount of research has demonstrated that early intensive behavioral intervention (EIBI) produces robust effects for children with autism. However, several questions remain unanswered and the papers presented in this symposium address some such issues. The first presentation is a literature review of published research which has examined the variables that predict outcome in EIBI. The second paper consists of a study which examined the relation between the amount of supervision implemented with outcome. The third paper is a descriptive analysis of the relations between hours of therapy, age, and mastery of skills across more than 300 children with autism. The final presentation consists of a study that evaluated stress levels for parents of children receiving EIBI. |
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| Predicting Optimal Outcome for Children with Autism: A Review of Existing Research |
| Jonathan J. Tarbox (Center for Autism and Related Disorders, Inc.), MEGAN M. KIRBY (Center For Autism and Related Disorders, Inc.), Dennis Dixon (Center For Autism and Related Disorders, Inc.), Amy Kenzer (Center For Autism and Related Disorders, Inc.), Michele R. Bishop (Center For Autism and Related Disorders, Inc.), Melissa L. Olive (Center For Autism and Related Disorders, Inc.), Doreen Granpeesheh (Center for Autism and Related Disorders, Inc.) |
| Abstract: Much research has shown that early intensive behavioral invention (EIBI) produces significant gains for children with autism. However, some children achieve less optimal outcomes in response to EIBI and in doing so highlight the need for examination of specific child characteristics and their link to positive treatment outcomes. Identifying early in treatment those children who will benefit most from EIBI and those who might require variations in the instructional format could potentially lead to an increase in the number of children that obtain the best treatment outcomes. This paper is a review of studies that have identified variables as potential predictors of optimal outcome. In addition, we discuss directions for future research on modifications of EIBI aimed at improving treatment results for children who would otherwise not achieve optimal outcomes. |
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| Intensity of Supervision and Outcome for Preschool Aged Children Receiving Early and Intensive Behavioral Interventions: A Preliminary Study |
| Svein Eikeseth (Akershus College), Diane W Hayward (UK Young Autism Project), Catherine Gale (UK Young Autism Project), Jens-Petter Gitlesen (University of Stavanger), SIGMUND ELDEVIK (Center for Early Intervention, Oslo, Norway) |
| Abstract: This study asked whether intensity of supervision is associated with outcome in preschool aged children with autism (N = 20) who received intensive and early behavioral intervention. Intensity of supervision ranged from 2.9 to 7.8 hours per month per child. Results show a significant correlation between intensity of supervision and improvement in IQ. Thus, intensity of supervision was reliably associated with amount of IQ change between intake and follow-up. These findings add to existing literature by suggesting that intensity of supervision together with intensity of treatment, treatment method, and pre treatment functioning are variables that may affect outcome for children with autism who receive early and intensive behavioral intervention. |
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| Descriptive Analysis of the Effects of Treatment Intensity, Age, and Time in Treatment Across 300 Children with Autism |
| Doreen Granpeesheh (Center for Autism and Related Disorders, Inc.), DENNIS DIXON (Center For Autism and Related Disorders, Inc.), Jonathan J. Tarbox (Center for Autism and Related Disorders, Inc.), Arthur E. Wilke (Center for Autism and Related Disorders, Inc.), Andrew Kaplan (Center For Autism and Related Disorders, Inc.) |
| Abstract: Early intensive behavioral interventions have been shown to effectively remediate some cases of autism. However, few studies have evaluated the importance of various factors, such as hours of treatment per week, on treatment outcomes. The present study evaluated treatment progress for 370 children receiving intensive ABA services. Regression analyses were conducted to predict treatment progress based upon the number of treatment hours received monthly, age at start of services, and time since starting services. Results indicated that each of these variables were significant predictors and accounted for considerable portions of the observed variance. Through these analyses the optimal level of each factor could be evaluated. These data are discussed in regards to the factors that are important for treatment providers to manipulate on a system-level to increase efficiency in skill acquisition and achieve optimum treatment outcomes. |
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| Assessing Parent Stress in Families receiving Early and Intensive Behavioral Intervention |
| SVEIN EIKESETH (Akershus College), Diane W Hayward (UK Young Autism Project), Catherine Gale (UK Young Autism Project), Sally A Morgan (UK Young Autism Project) |
| Abstract: A frequently asked question is whether Early and Intensive Behavioral Intervention (EIBA) add or relieve family stress. The current study assessed changes in stress in families receiving EIBI. Pre treatment family stress was assessed and compared to family stress one year into treatment. Family stress was assessed using the The Parenting Stress Index (PSI). The PSI assesses stress in the parent-child relationship. It identifies dysfunctional parenting and predicts the potential for parental behavior problems and child adjustment difficulties within the family system. PSI yields a Total Stress Score, plus sub scales in child and parent characteristics. Results show a high level of stress in parent-child relationship pre treatment and a reduction, but yet high level of stress in parent-child relationship one year into treatment. Results suggest that EIBI may relieve stress in parent-child relationship. |
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