Related Experiment Video
Updated: Nov 5, 2025
A Familiarization Protocol Facilitates the Participation of Children with ASD in Electrophysiological Research
Published on: July 31, 2017
Effect of a Focused Social and Communication Intervention on Preterm Children with ASD: A Pilot Study
Álvaro Bejarano-Martín1, Ricardo Canal-Bedia2,3, María Magán-Maganto1
1INICO, Instituto Universitario de Integración en La Comunidad, Universidad de Salamanca, 37008, Salamanca, Spain.
Insights
Early social-communication interventions show promise for preterm infants with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The study found significant improvements in socio-communicative skills, cognitive development, and language for participants receiving the intervention.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal care and developmental pediatrics.
- Neurodevelopmental disorders and autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
- Early childhood intervention strategies.
Background:
- Intensive neonatal care improves preterm infant survival but high rates of neurodevelopmental disorders persist.
- Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a common neurodevelopmental disorder in preterm populations.
- Early identification and intervention are crucial for improving outcomes in at-risk infants.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the efficacy of a social-communication intervention for preterm infants.
- To assess improvements in social-communicative skills in young children.
- To evaluate the intervention's impact on cognitive development and language.
Main Methods:
- A pilot study involving 18 children aged 18-20 months.
- Participants included preterm infants with and without ASD, and full-term infants with ASD.
- A social-communication intervention was implemented and outcomes were measured.
Main Results:
- Most participants in the intervention groups showed significant improvements.
- Key areas of improvement included socio-communicative skills, cognitive development, and language.
- The intervention demonstrated positive effects on developmental trajectories.
Conclusions:
- Early social-communication interventions are effective for preterm children with ASD.
- Pilot data suggest the need for broader implementation of these early interventions.
- Further research is warranted to confirm and expand upon these findings.
Abstract:
While advances in intensive neonatal care have greatly improved survival rates among preterm infants, incidence of neurodevelopmental disorders in this group is still high, with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) being one of the most frequent. To this end, we conducted a social-communication intervention aimed at investigating efficacy in social-communicative skills. Eighteen children (preterm and full-term with ASD and preterm children) aged 18 through 20 months participated in the study. Our findings indicate that most participants in the intervention groups registered significant improvements in terms of socio-communicative skills, cognitive development, and language. Accordingly, these pilot data underscore the need for further research and implementation of early interventions in young preterm children with ASD.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:19Autism Spectrum Disorder
These core symptoms manifest differently among individuals, ranging from mild to severe. The disorder's complexity extends beyond its clinical presentation, encompassing a diverse range of biological, cognitive, and sociocultural influences.
01:26Modeling in Therapy
Participant Modeling
Participant modeling involves therapists demonstrating calm and effective behaviors in...