Autism Treatment Works in Kids as Young as 18 Months
Children with autism are often not diagnosed until they get into school and have trouble with social interactions. Because children with autism aren't usually diagnosed until they are about 5 years old, the treatment they receive is often not very effective. New research at the University of Washington, however, reveals that if children can be diagnosed when they are younger, as early as eighteen months, then early treatment options can vastly improve their quality of life.
The children in the University of Washington study were all diagnosed with autism at around two years old. Half of the group was given a new treatment called the Early Start Denver model, and half of the group were given traditional therapeutic treatments. The children continued with their treatments for two years and then the results were evaluated. Children who were on the Early Start Denver model had an average IQ increase of approximately 18 points. Children who were on the traditional therapeutic treatment plan had an average increase of only 7 points. This large difference in IQ difference, plus observed social interaction results by physicians and parents shows that the children on the Early Start Denver model improved much more than the other children. It is also important to note that all of these kids improved much more than a child diagnosed later with autism would have.
Early diagnosis of autism and early, effective treatment are important to giving children with autism a chance for a normal life. The Early Start Denver model, when combined with early diagnosis, gives kids the best chance at normal social interaction and regular development. I found this article interesting because it shows a remarkable difference in how the kids did based on only a few years difference in diagnosis. I think it's amazing that being diagnosed at 2 rather than 5 years old can mean the difference between an almost normal life and problems with development and school.
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,577808,00.html
David Szafron
The children in the University of Washington study were all diagnosed with autism at around two years old. Half of the group was given a new treatment called the Early Start Denver model, and half of the group were given traditional therapeutic treatments. The children continued with their treatments for two years and then the results were evaluated. Children who were on the Early Start Denver model had an average IQ increase of approximately 18 points. Children who were on the traditional therapeutic treatment plan had an average increase of only 7 points. This large difference in IQ difference, plus observed social interaction results by physicians and parents shows that the children on the Early Start Denver model improved much more than the other children. It is also important to note that all of these kids improved much more than a child diagnosed later with autism would have.
Early diagnosis of autism and early, effective treatment are important to giving children with autism a chance for a normal life. The Early Start Denver model, when combined with early diagnosis, gives kids the best chance at normal social interaction and regular development. I found this article interesting because it shows a remarkable difference in how the kids did based on only a few years difference in diagnosis. I think it's amazing that being diagnosed at 2 rather than 5 years old can mean the difference between an almost normal life and problems with development and school.
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,577808,00.html
David Szafron
posted by dszafron at 11:27 AM
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