Intensive Autism Interventions May Not Provide Better Outcomes for Young Children

Strategic Insights -

Researchers have long recommended intensive interventions, often amounting to 20-40 hours per week, to support the development of young autistic children. However, a new study led by Micheal Sandbank, PhD, assistant professor in the Department of Health Sciences at the UNC School of Medicine, has found that more does not necessarily mean better. Using data from 144 early childhood intervention studies involving 9,038 children between the ages of 0 to 8, researchers conducted a meta-analysis to determine whether higher intensity interventions provided increased benefits for young autistic children compared to less intensive interventions. Their results, published in JAMA Pediatrics, suggest that intervention outcomes do not improve as intervention intensity increases.

Key Takeaways:

  • No evidence was found that higher intensity interventions provide increased benefits for young autistic children.
  • Interventions requiring young children to be away from home for long durations can deprive them of critical rest and socialization.
  • Researchers found no evidence that higher intensity behavioral interventions are associated with more cognitive gains in young children on the autism spectrum.
  • The most commonly recommended approach for autistic children in the United States, "Early Intensive Behavioral Intervention," or EIBI, may not be the most effective.
  • Developmental interventions, which focus on improving children's engagement and social interaction through play with their caregivers, may be a more effective alternative.
  • The brain's ability to adapt, or neuroplasticity, during the developmental period may affect the success of intervention.
  • Researchers recommend that practitioners consider what amount of intervention would be developmentally appropriate for the child and supportive to the family.
  • Clinicians should avoid providing any specific amount of intervention as a default recommendation and instead inform families that no single intervention amount is right for every child.

Statistics:

  • 144 early childhood intervention studies were included in the meta-analysis, involving 9,038 participants.
  • The studies analyzed data from children between the ages of 0 to 8.
  • Researchers found no evidence that higher intensity interventions provided increased benefits for young autistic children.
  • The most commonly recommended approach for autistic children in the United States is "Early Intensive Behavioral Intervention," or EIBI.
  • 1987 study found that autistic children who received 40 hours of behavioral intervention per week had more cognitive improvement than those who received only 10 hours per week.

Sources:

  • UNC Health Press Release (June 25, 2018)
  • JAMA Pediatrics (research paper by Micheal Sandbank, PhD, et al.)
  • Contify.com