title: Effects of a brief Early Start Denver model (ESDM)-based parent intervention on toddlers at risk for autism spectrum disorders: a randomized controlled trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study was carried out to examine the efficacy of a 12-week, low-intensity (1-hour/wk of therapist contact), parent-delivered intervention for toddlers at risk for autism spectrum disorders (ASD) aged 14 to 24 months and their families.
  
  
  METHODS
  A randomized controlled trial involving 98 children and families was carried out in three different sites investigating the efficacy of a parent delivery of the Early Start Denver model (P-ESDM), which fosters parental use of a child-centered responsive interaction style that embeds many teaching opportunities into play, compared to community treatment as usual. Assessments were completed at baseline and 12 weeks later, immediately after the end of parent coaching sessions.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was no effect of group assignment on parent-child interaction characteristics or on any child outcomes. Both groups of parents improved interaction skills, and both groups of children demonstrated progress. Parents receiving P-ESDM demonstrated significantly stronger working alliances with their therapists than did the community group. Children in the community group received significantly more intervention hours than those in the P-ESDM group. For the group as a whole, both younger child age at the start of intervention and a greater number of intervention hours were positively related to the degree of improvement in children's behavior for most variables.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Parent-implemented intervention studies for early ASD thus far have not demonstrated the large effects seen in intensive-treatment studies. Evidence that both younger age and more intervention hours positively affect developmental rates has implications for clinical practice, service delivery, and public policy.
authors.affiliation: University of California-Davis (UC Davis) Medical Investigation of Neurodevelopmental Disorders Institute, Sacramento 95817, USA. sally.rogers@ucdmc.ucdavis.edu
authors.forename: Sally J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Rogers
authors.forename: Annette
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Estes
authors.forename: Catherine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lord
authors.forename: Laurie
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Vismara
authors.forename: Jamie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Winter
authors.forename: Annette
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Fitzpatrick
authors.forename: Mengye
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Guo
authors.forename: Geraldine
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Dawson
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002659:Child Development Disorders, Pervasive / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000628:therapy*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D018479:Early Intervention, Educational / Q000379:methods*; D005196:Family Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008960:Models, Psychological; D010287:Parent-Child Relations; D010290:Parents / Q000193:education* / Q000523:psychology; D012306:Risk; D013997:Time Factors