INTENSIVE BEHAVIORAL TREATMENT PRODUCES REMARKABLE CHANGES IN CHILDREN WITH AUTISM, NEW STUDY FINDS

INTENSIVE BEHAVIORAL TREATMENT PRODUCES REMARKABLE CHANGES IN CHILDREN WITH AUTISM, NEW STUDY FINDS
After putting 24 children with autism through 2-4 years of non-aversive treatment, including cognitive, language, adaptive, social, and academic measures, a new study finds that 11 of the children showed Full Scale IQs in the average range, with IQ increases from 55 to 104, as well as increases in language and adaptive skills. At age 7, these children were succeeding in regular first or second grade classes and demonstrated generally average academic abilities, spoke fluently, and had peers with whom they played regularly.
The study, titled "Intensive Behavioral Treatment for Children With Autism: Four-Year Outcome and Predictors" by Glen O. Sallows and Tamlynn D. Graupner is published in the November 2005 issue of the American Journal on Mental Retardation (Volume 110, No. 6).  To read an abstract (free) and/or download a copy of the article (payment applies), visit http://aamr.allenpress.com/aamronline/?request=get-toc&issn=0895-8017&volume=110&issue=6