title: Effectiveness of community-based early intervention based on pivotal response treatment.
abstract: Preschoolers (n = 118) with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) participated in this prospective effectiveness study of an early intervention program. Treatment entailed parent training and therapist-implemented components, incorporating Pivotal Response Treatment and Positive Behaviour Support. Standardized ability and behavioural measures were gathered prior to and following the 1-year intervention. Analyses were conducted for three groups based on baseline IQ: Higher IQ (≥ 70; n = 36), Moderately Low IQ (40-69; n = 40), and Very Low IQ (<40, n = 42). Observed gains in key language and cognitive outcomes were significant for all groups. Baseline cognitive scores significantly predicted 1-year outcomes. Results are encouraging for this relatively low-intensity community-based intervention program.
authors.affiliation: Departments of Pediatrics and Psychology & Neuroscience, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada, isabel.smith@iwk.nshealth.ca.
authors.forename: Isabel M
authors.initials: IM
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: Helen E
authors.initials: HE
authors.lastname: Flanagan
authors.forename: Nancy
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Garon
authors.forename: Susan E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Bryson
mesh_terms: D000067877:Autism Spectrum Disorder / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D001521:Behavior Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003071:Cognition; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007802:Language; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome