Young children diagnosed with autism who receive aggressive specialized treatments at an early age may be more likely to overcome their illness.
According to the study, which was conducted by the University of Washington and which will have its results published online in the November 30 issue of Pediatrics, found that young autistic children responded favorably to two years of behavior treatment.
In the study, 48 children between the ages of 18 and 30 months old were either assigned into specialized treatments focusing on social interactions or less comprehensive therapy.
After two years, the group of children that received specialized treatments had their IQs increase by nearly 18 points while the children in the general group only saw an IQ increase of seven points.
The survey also found that children in the more specialized treatment were also more likely to be re-diagnosed with persuasive development disorder, a less severe illness.
“When done in this fashion, many children are able to learn and make remarkable progress,” said Geraldine Dawson, the study’s lead author and the chief science officer for Autism Speaks. “Some of the kids at the end of the study were going into regular preschool and had developed language and friendships with their peers.”
Families with young children who have been diagnosed with autism may be able to drastically improve their lives with aggressive therapy. If insurance does not cover payment for an essential treatment, short-term loans may be able to ease the high cost of the therapy.
