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Intensive behavioral treatment at school for 4- to 7-year-old children with autism. A 1-year comparison controlled

Svein Eikeseth1, Tristram Smith, Erik Jahr

  • 1Akershus College.

Behavior Modification
|January 22, 2002
PubMed

Insights

Intensive behavioral treatment led to significant gains in young children with autism compared to eclectic approaches. These findings highlight the effectiveness of behavioral interventions in school settings for improving outcomes in children with autism spectrum disorder.

Area of Science:

  • Developmental Psychology
  • Clinical Psychology
  • Pediatric Medicine

Background:

  • Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) presents significant developmental challenges for young children.
  • Early intervention is critical for improving outcomes in children with ASD.
  • The efficacy of different intensive treatment approaches for early childhood ASD requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the effectiveness of 1 year of intensive behavioral treatment versus eclectic treatment for children aged 4–7 years with ASD.
  • To determine if specific aspects of behavioral treatment contribute to favorable outcomes.

Main Methods:

  • A randomized clinical trial comparing intensive behavioral treatment with eclectic treatment.
  • Participants were 4- to 7-year-old children diagnosed with ASD.
  • Treatment was delivered intensively for approximately 28.52 hours per week in school settings.

Main Results:

  • Children in the behavioral treatment group demonstrated significantly greater improvements on standardized tests compared to the eclectic treatment group.
  • Intensive behavioral treatment was successfully implemented within school environments.
  • Outcomes suggest that specific components of behavioral treatment, beyond mere intensity, may drive positive results.

Conclusions:

  • Intensive behavioral treatment shows promise for improving outcomes in 4- to 7-year-old children with ASD.
  • Behavioral interventions can be effectively integrated into school-based settings for early childhood ASD.
  • The findings underscore the importance of specific therapeutic elements within behavioral interventions for children with autism spectrum disorder.

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