Impact of Family-Centered Early Intervention in Infants with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Single-Subject Design

Area of Science:

• Neurodevelopmental disorders
• Pediatric psychology
• Early childhood intervention

Background:

• Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder impacting communication, social skills, and behavior, often identified in early childhood.
• Early intervention is crucial for managing ASD symptoms and improving developmental trajectories.
• Family-centered approaches integrate caregivers into the intervention process, leveraging family strengths.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the effects of family-centered early intervention on social interaction quality and skills in infants with suspected autism spectrum disorder.
• To evaluate the efficacy of a comprehensive intervention program using a single-subject design.

Main Methods:

• A single-subject design study with baseline (A), intervention (B), re-baseline (A'), and follow-up phases.
• The intervention included home environmental modification, play video recording and training, task-based feedback, and information sessions.
• Evaluations utilized the Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers, Revised, with Follow-Up and Evaluation of Social Interaction.

Main Results:

• All three participants demonstrated improvements in the quality of social interaction and social interaction skills post-intervention.
• The intervention led to a reduction in the risk of autism spectrum disorder for all participants.
• The single-subject design provided clear evidence of individual participant progress.

Conclusions:

• Family-centered early intervention is an effective strategy for enhancing social interaction skills in infants with suspected autism spectrum disorder.
• This intervention model shows promise in mitigating early signs of ASD.
• Integrating families into early intervention programs yields positive developmental outcomes.