Predictors and Moderators of Treatment Efficacy in Children and Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder

The heterogeneous symptom presentation of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) requires clinicians to consider each child's unique constellation of symptoms and tailor intervention accordingly. Treatment moderators, though necessary to guide evidence-based treatment decisions, are significantly under-studied. This brief report aims to expand on previous literature by providing an overview of characteristics which may influence treatment outcome and specifying future directions to build on this preliminary evidence base.

A subset of treatment modalities was identified from the National Clearinghouse on Autism Evidence and Practice Review Team's most recent report including discrete trial early intensive behaviorally based treatment, social skills training, and cognitive behavioral interventions. Within these treatment modalities, individual interventions with significant support were specifically discussed. Due to the lack of research on treatment moderators, a discussion of significant predictors of treatment outcome is also included.

Preliminary evidence suggests that overall, treatment intensity, duration, and parent involvement are the most consistently identified predictors (and in some studies, moderators) of treatment outcome; sessions which occur more frequently, continue for longer periods of time, and include parent training or coaching may yield the best outcomes. Other characteristics, including age and IQ, have been widely debated, with differing results found across treatment modalities.

The sparsity of research demonstrates a clear need for continued research on moderators to guide clinical judgment. Future studies that recruit larger samples targeting specific ASD symptoms at specific ages may be more adequately powered to detect these moderating effects.