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| Outcome of Early Intensive Behavioral Intervention for Children with Autism II |
| Tuesday, May 26, 2009 |
| 9:00 AM–10:20 AM |
| North 120 D |
| Area: AUT/DDA; Domain: Applied Behavior Analysis |
| Chair: Amy Kenzer (Center for Autism and Related Disorders) |
| Discussant: Sigmund Eldevik (Center for Early Intervention, Oslo, Norway) |
| CE Instructor: Donald Stenhoff, Ph.D. |
| Abstract: This symposium presents further research on outcomes of early intensive behavioral intervention for children with autism. The first paper consists of a retrospective chart review for 38 children with autism who recovered from autism after receiving early intensive behavioral intervention. The second paper is a program evaluation for a state-funded EIBI program in Phoenix, Arizona. The third paper consists of study comparing outcomes for children with autism receiving low intensity intervention to those of children receiving higher intensity intervention. The symposium will conclude with a discussion by Dr. Sigmund Eldevik. |
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| Retrospective Analysis of Clinical Records in 38 Cases of Recovery from Autism |
| Doreen Granpeesheh (Center for Autism and Related Disorders, Inc.), DENNIS DIXON (Center for Autism and Related Disorders), Jonathan J. Tarbox (Center for Autism and Related Disorders, Inc.) |
| Abstract: Twenty years of research on early intensive applied behavior analytic (ABA) treatment for children with autism has consistently produced robust treatment effects. However, there appears to be a subset of children who respond best to intensive ABA treatments, including achieving a level of functioning that is indistinguishable from typically developing peers. The purpose of this study was to describe a subset of children who recovered from autism following intensive ABA interventions. We reviewed the clinical files of 38 children with autism who achieved an optimal outcome after receiving intensive ABA services. The mean age at intake was 40 months. Average IQ was 83.6 at intake and 107.9 at discharge. Mean adaptive skills were 68.04 at intake and 88.87 at discharge. Our study corroborates the finding that some portion of children with autism who receive early intensive behavioral intervention achieve functioning in the average range. |
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| CARD/Arizona: A Model for Effective Partnership and Preliminary Outcome Data |
| Amy Kenzer (Center for Autism and Related Disorders), Doreen Granpeesheh (Center for Autism and Related Disorders, Inc.), Jonathan J. Tarbox (Center for Autism and Related Disorders, Inc.), SARAH M. NIEHOFF (Center for Autism and Related Disorders) |
| Abstract: Early intensive behavioral intervention (EIBI) has been established as an effective treatment for autism, resulting in an increase in the number of EIBI programs for young children with autism. As these services rise in popularity, evaluating their effectiveness continues to be a priority. Additionally, further research is necessary to ensure continued changes in public policy affecting funding and availability of EIBI treatment programs. To this end, the state of Arizona granted the Center for Autism and Related Disorders (CARD) funding for a program to demonstrate early intensive behavioral intervention services for young children with autism in the Phoenix area and to empirically evaluate its effectiveness. The program will be described as a model for partnership between state agencies and private service providers. A comprehensive description of the project will be provided including: 1) detailed account of critical treatment variables, 2) one-year treatment outcomes for all participants, and 3) the current status of public policy regarding EIBI in Arizona. |
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| An Evaluation of High Intensity and Low Intensity Behavioral Intervention for Young Children with Autism |
| AMY KENZER (Center for Autism and Related Disorders), Doreen Granpeesheh (Center for Autism and Related Disorders, Inc.), Jonathan J. Tarbox (Center for Autism and Related Disorders, Inc.) |
| Abstract: Treatment intensity is a critical variable in the effectiveness of behavioral interventions for young children with autism. However, treatment intensity is one aspect of treatment implementation that is particularly variable, due to factors such as limited funding, parent preference, and scheduling conflicts with non-behavioral treatment and educational services. As a result, actual implementation of behavioral therapy for children with autism often involves a range of intensities, from as little as 8 hours a week to as many as 40 hours a week of intervention. The current study investigated the effects of low intensity and high intensity behavior therapy for young children diagnosed with autism. Specifically, two groups of children received services from the Center for Autism and Related Disorders, with participants in the high intensity group receiving an average of 25 or more hours per week of treatment, while the participants in the low intensity group received an average of 8 - 15 hours per week of treatment. A comprehensive battery of assessments was conducted prior to treatment and at yearly intervals. Measures include tests of adaptive behavior, language, IQ, social skills, and executive function, in addition to diagnostic measures related to autism. |
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