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Pivotal Response Treatment for School-Aged Children and Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Randomized
Manon W P de Korte1,2, Iris van den Berk-Smeekens3,4, Jan K Buitelaar3,4
1Karakter Child and Adolescent Psychiatry University Centre, Reinier Postlaan 12, 6525 GC, Nijmegen, The Netherlands. m.dekorte@karakter.com.
Abstract:
Pivotal Response Treatment (PRT) is promising for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), but more methodologically robust designed studies are needed. In this randomized controlled trial, forty-four children with ASD, aged 9-15 years, were randomly allocated to PRT (n = 22) or treatment-as-usual (TAU; n = 22). Measurements were obtained after 12- and 20-weeks treatment, and 2-month follow-up. PRT resulted in significant greater improvements on parent-rated social-communicative skills after 12 weeks treatment (p = .004, partial η2 = 0.22), compared to TAU. Furthermore, larger gains in PRT compared to TAU were observed on blindly rated global functioning, and parent-rated adaptive socialization skills and attention problems. Implications for clinical practice and suggestions for future research are discussed.
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