Progress and outcomes for children with autism receiving parent-managed intensive interventions.
Parent-managed behavioral interventions for young children with autism are under-researched. We analysed data from 66 children served by 25 different early intervention consultants. After a mean of 31.6 months of intervention, IQ scores had not changed (N = 22). Vineland adaptive behavior scores had increased significantly by 8.9 points (N = 21). No children aged >72 months attained normal functioning, i.e., IQ > 85 and unassisted mainstream school placement (N = 42). Progress for 60 children across 12 months was found for mental age (5.4 months), adaptive behavior (9.7 months), and language (5.1 months). The interventions did not reproduce results from clinic-based professionally directed programs. The effectiveness of the parent-managed intervention model as it has developed and the adequacy of professional services in that model are discussed.
Bibby
Peter
P
Autism & Developmental Disorders Education Research, London, England, UK. peterjbibby@compuserve.com
Eikeseth
Svein
S
Martin
Neil T
NT
Mudford
Oliver C
OC
Reeves
David
D
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D001321:Autistic Disorder / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D001521:Behavior Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D018479:Early Intervention, Educational; D004493:Education; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010043:Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care; D016487:Parenting / Q000523:psychology*; D010290:Parents / Q000193:education*; D012017:Referral and Consultation