pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Intervention for optimal outcome in children and adolescents with a history of autism - PubMed

Intervention for optimal outcome in children and adolescents with a history of autism

Alyssa J Orinstein et al. J Dev Behav Pediatr. 2014 May.

Abstract

Objective: Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) were once considered lifelong disorders, but recent findings indicate that some children with ASDs no longer meet diagnostic criteria for any ASD and reach normal cognitive function. These children are considered to have achieved "optimal outcomes" (OO). The present study aimed to retrospectively examine group differences in the intervention history of children and adolescents with OO and those with high-functioning autism (HFA).

Method: The current study examined intervention histories in 25 individuals with OO and 34 individuals with HFA (current age, 8-21 years), who did not differ on age, sex, nonverbal intelligence, or family income. Intervention history was collected through detailed parent questionnaires.

Results: Children in the OO group had earlier parental concern, received earlier referrals to specialists, and had earlier and more intensive intervention than those in the HFA group. Substantially more children with OO than HFA received applied behavior analysis (ABA) therapy, although for children who received ABA, the intensity did not differ between the groups. Children in the HFA group were more likely to have received medication, especially antipsychotics and antidepressants. There were no group differences in the percent of children receiving special diets or supplements.

Conclusion: These data suggest that OO individuals generally receive earlier, more intense interventions, and more ABA, whereas HFA individuals receive more pharmacologic treatments. Although the use of retrospective data is a clear limitation to the current study, the substantial differences in the reported provision of early intervention, and ABA in particular, is highly suggestive and should be replicated in prospective studies.

PubMed Disclaimer

Conflict of interest statement

The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. Percent of participants receiving ABA therapy, by age

Similar articles

Cited by

References

    1. Lovaas OI. Behavioral treatment and normal educational and intellectual functioning in young autistic children. Journal of consulting and clinical psychology. 1987;55(1):3–9. - PubMed
    1. Mundy P. Normal versus high-functioning status in children with autism. American Journal on Mental Retardation. 1993;97(4):381–384.
    1. Helt M, Kelley E, Kinsbourne M, et al. Can children with autism recover? If so, how? Neuropsychol Rev. 2008;18(4):339–366. - PubMed
    1. Dawson G, Rogers S, Munson J, et al. Randomized, controlled trial of an intervention for toddlers with autism: the Early Start Denver Model. Pediatrics. 2010;125(1):e17–23. - PMC - PubMed
    1. Drew A, Baird G, Baron-Cohen S, et al. A pilot randomised control trial of a parent training intervention for pre-school children with autism. Preliminary findings and methodological challenges. European child & adolescent psychiatry. 2002;11(6):266–272. - PubMed

Publication types

MeSH terms