30 November 2009

Early Intervention is Key

A study conducted at the University of Washington has demonstrated that early diagnosis and intensive treatment of autism can significantly improve IQ, language, and ability to perform everyday tasks.

Pediatrics reports that in the randomized, controlled trial of 48 toddler-aged children, 24 underwent the Early Start Denver model. The treatment plan included 15 hours a week of one-on-one therapy and 16 hours of training with parents. After two years, these children successfully rose IQ scores to within normal levels. The other 24 children assigned to regular therapists throughout the Seattle area did not.

You can read a summary of the study with interviews and implications here.

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