Effects of a Brief Early Start Denver Model (ESDM)–Based Parent Intervention on Toddlers at Risk for Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Effects of a Brief Early Start Denver Model (ESDM)–Based Parent Intervention on Toddlers at Risk for Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Randomized Controlled Trial: 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.

The Impact of Parent-Delivered Intervention on Parents of Very Young Children with Autism - Springer

The Impact of Parent-Delivered Intervention on Parents of Very Young Children with Autism - Springer: This study investigated the impact of a parent-coaching intervention based on the Early Start Denver Model (P-ESDM) on parenting-related stress and sense of competence. This was part of a multisite, randomized trial comparing P-ESDM (n = 49) with community intervention (n = 49) for children aged 12 and 24 months. The P-ESDM group reported no increase in parenting stress, whereas the Community group experienced an increase over the same 3-month period. Parental sense of competence did not differ. Number of negative life events was a significant predictor of parenting stress and sense of competence across both groups. This suggests that a parent-coaching intervention may help maintain parental adjustment directly after a child is diagnosed with ASD.

A Systematic Review of Early Intensive Intervention for Autism Spectrum Disorders

A Systematic Review of Early Intensive Intervention for Autism Spectrum Disorders: Studies of Lovaas-based approaches and early intensive behavioral intervention variants and the Early Start Denver Model resulted in some improvements in cognitive performance, language skills, and adaptive behavior skills in some young children with ASDs, although the literature is limited by methodologic concerns.

Parent and Family Impact of Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Review and Proposed Model for Intervention Evaluation - Springer

Parent and Family Impact of Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Review and Proposed Model for Intervention Evaluation - Springer: Raising a child with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) can be an overwhelming experience for parents and families. The pervasive and severe deficits often present in children with ASD are associated with a plethora of difficulties in caregivers, including decreased parenting efficacy, increased parenting stress, and an increase in mental and physical health problems compared with parents of both typically developing children and children with other developmental disorders. In addition to significant financial strain and time pressures, high rates of divorce and lower overall family well-being highlight the burden that having a child with an ASD can place on families. These parent and family effects reciprocally and negatively impact the diagnosed child and can even serve to diminish the positive effects of intervention. However, most interventions for ASD are evaluated only in terms of child outcomes, ignoring parent and family factors that may have an influence on both the immediate and long-term effects of therapy. It cannot be assumed that even significant improvements in the diagnosed child will ameliorate the parent and family distress already present, especially as the time and expense of intervention can add further family disruption. Thus, a new model of intervention evaluation is proposed, which incorporates these factors and better captures the transactional nature of these relationships.

Impact of a Contextual Intervention on Child Participation and Parent Competence Among Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Pretest–Posttest Repeated-Measures Design

Impact of a Contextual Intervention on Child Participation and Parent Competence Among Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Pretest–Posttest Repeated-Measures Design: Results indicated that parents felt more competent and children significantly increased participation in everyday life, suggesting that this approach is an effective occupational therapy intervention.

A randomised group comparison controlled trial of ‘preschoolers with autism’: A parent education and skills training intervention for young children with autistic disorder

A randomised group comparison controlled trial of ‘preschoolers with autism’: A parent education and skills training intervention for young children with autistic disorder: Parent education and behaviour management resulted in significant improvement in adaptive behaviour and autism symptoms at 6 months follow-up for children with greater delays in adaptive behaviour. Parent education and behaviour management was superior to parent education and counselling. We conclude that a 20-week parent education programme including skills training for parents of young children with autistic disorder provides significant improvements in child adaptive behaviour and symptoms of autism for low-functioning children.

A Parent-Mediated Intervention to Increase Responsive Parental Behaviors and Child Communication in Children with ASD: A Randomized Clinical Trial - Springer

A Parent-Mediated Intervention to Increase Responsive Parental Behaviors and Child Communication in Children with ASD: A Randomized Clinical Trial - Springer: Longitudinal research has demonstrated that responsive parental behaviors reliably predict subsequent language gains in children with autism spectrum disorder. To investigate the underlying causal mechanisms, we conducted a randomized clinical trial of an experimental intervention (Focused Playtime Intervention, FPI) that aims to enhance responsive parental communication (N = 70). Results showed a significant treatment effect of FPI on responsive parental behaviors. Findings also revealed a conditional effect of FPI on children’s expressive language outcomes at 12-month follow up, suggesting that children with baseline language skills below 12 months (n = 24) are most likely to benefit from FPI. Parents of children with more advanced language skills may require intervention strategies that go beyond FPI’s focus on responsive communication.

Intervention targeting development of socially synchronous engagement in toddlers with autism spectrum disorder: a randomized controlled trial - Landa - 2010 - Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry - Wiley Online Library

Intervention targeting development of socially synchronous engagement in toddlers with autism spectrum disorder: a randomized controlled trial - Landa - 2010 - Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry - Wiley Online Library: A significant treatment effect was found for socially engaged imitation (p = .02), with more than doubling (17% to 42%) of imitated acts paired with eye contact in the Interpersonal Synchrony group after the intervention. This skill was generalized to unfamiliar contexts and maintained through follow-up. Similar gains were observed for initiation of joint attention and shared positive affect, but between-group differences did not reach statistical significance. A significant time effect was found for all outcomes (p < .001); greatest change occurred during the intervention period, particularly in the Interpersonal Synchrony group.

The effects of a parent-focused intervention for children with a recent diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder on parenting stress and competence

The effects of a parent-focused intervention for children with a recent diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder on parenting stress and competence: This paper reports on the effects of two types of parent-focused intervention, for parents of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) aged 2–4 years and within 6 months of diagnosis, on parent's perceptions of stress and competence. Interventions aimed to decrease parenting stress and increase parenting competence by embedding empirically supported parenting strategies within family routines. Families were assigned to a professionally supported intervention that included a workshop and 10 home-visits (n = 17) or to a self-directed video based intervention (n = 22). Development in social communication was greater for children of families receiving professional support as measured by a caregiver questionnaire but not on a clinically measured behavior sample. Improvements in adaptive behavior were greater for children in the professionally supported intervention when relatively low adaptive behavior scores had been demonstrated at pre-intervention. The professionally supported intervention resulted in reduced child-related parenting stress and increased parenting self-efficacy relative to the self-directed intervention. The findings support the importance of providing individualized information and professional support around the time of diagnosis for families who have a child with ASD.

A pilot randomized controlled trial of DIR/Floortime™ parent training intervention for pre-school children with autistic spectrum disorders

A pilot randomized controlled trial of DIR/Floortime™ parent training intervention for pre-school children with autistic spectrum disorders: This pilot study was designed to test the efficacy of adding home-based Developmental, Individual-Difference, Relationship-Based (DIR)/Floortime™ intervention to the routine care of preschool children with autistic spectrum disorder. Measures of functional emotional development and symptom severity were taken. It was found that after the parents added home-based DIR/Floortime™ intervention at an average of 15.2 hours/week for three months, the intervention group made significantly greater gains in all three measures employed in the study: Functional Emotional Assessment Scale (FEAS) (F = 5.1, p = .031), Childhood Autism Rating Scale (F = 2.1, p = .002), and the Functional Emotional Questionnaires (F = 6.8, p = .006). This study confirms the positive results obtained by a previous DIR pilot study (Solomon et al., 2007).

An Early Social Engagement Intervention for Young Children with Autism and their Parents - Springer

An Early Social Engagement Intervention for Young Children with Autism and their Parents - Springer: The social vulnerabilities associated with young children with autism are recognized as important intervention targets due to their influence on subsequent development. Current research suggests that interventions that combine motivational and social components can create meaningful changes in social functioning. Simultaneously, it is hypothesized that parent delivery of such strategies can invoke increases in these core social behaviors and parent engagement. This study examined the effects of teaching parents to implement a social engagement intervention with their children. The results indicated that the use of this parent-delivered social intervention led to (a) increases in their children’s use of eye contact, directed positive affect, and verbal initiations, (b) increases in parent positive affect and synchronous engagement, and (c) generalized increases in parent and child behaviors.

A Pilot Study of Parent Training in Young Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders and Disruptive Behavior - Springer

A Pilot Study of Parent Training in Young Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders and Disruptive Behavior - Springer: Guidance on effective interventions for disruptive behavior in young children with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) is limited. We present feasibility and initial efficacy data on a structured parent training program for 16 children (ages 3–6) with ASD and disruptive behavior. The 6-month intervention included 11 Core and up to 2 Optional sessions. The program was acceptable to parents as evidenced by an attendance rate of 84 % for Core sessions. Fourteen of 16 families completed the treatment. An independent clinician rated 14 of 16 subjects as much improved or very much improved at Week 24. Using last observation carried forward, the parent-rated Aberrant Behavior Checklist-Irritability subscale decreased 54 % from 16.00 (SD = 9.21) to 7.38 (SD = 6.15).

Issues and Theoretical Constructs Regarding Parent Education for Autism Spectrum Disorders - Springer

Issues and Theoretical Constructs Regarding Parent Education for Autism Spectrum Disorders - Springer: Participation of parents of children with autism is commonplace in most comprehensive intervention programs, yet, there is limited research relating to the best practices in this area. This article provides an overview of parent education programs for young children with autism and details data-driven procedures which are associated with improved parent and child outcomes. In addition, we provide a troubleshooting guide based on the literature for professionals regarding a variety of complex issues which may arise during parent education.

UC Davis MIND Institute Helps Parents Find Right Treatments For Autism « CBS Sacramento

UC Davis MIND Institute Helps Parents Find Right Treatments For Autism « CBS Sacramento: But the therapy given to each of their children is very different. Both incorporate play and parent interaction, but the techniques have separate foundations.

Jackson Vestal’s mother started with the well-known and scientifically studied method of applied behavior analysis. It focuses on rewarding her 7-year-old’s good behavior.

“We tried ABA for four years,” she said, “and I’m not saying it didn’t help. It did help to a certain point, and then we got stuck.”

Is The CDC Hiding Data About Mercury, Vaccines, And Autism? - Forbes

Is The CDC Hiding Data About Mercury, Vaccines, And Autism? - Forbes: You know the rule. The answer is, “No.” But the assertion has gone viral on social media thanks to the zombie-like resurrection of a long-told, oft-debunked story that the US Centers for Disease Control (CDC) is hiding its own data linking autism and mercury in vaccines. If you see such assertions in your timelines and newsfeeds (sample headline: “CDC Caught Hiding Data Showing Mercury in Vaccines Linked to Autism”), send the disseminators here. Why? Read on.

Risk for Psychiatric Issues in Children with Older Fathers - Kansas City infoZine

Risk for Psychiatric Issues in Children with Older Fathers - Kansas City infoZine: The authors studied people born in Sweden from 1973 to 2001 and estimated the risk of psychiatric problems (autism, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, psychosis, bipolar disorder, suicide attempt and substance abuse) and academic trouble (failing grades and low educational attainment of 10 years of less in school) using siblings, cousins and first-born cousins.



Siblings born to fathers 45 years and older were at higher risk for autism, attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, psychosis, bipolar disorder, suicide attempts, substance abuse, failing a grade and low educational attainment compared with siblings born to fathers 20 to 24 years old, the authors found.

Researchers verify link between vitamin D and potential autism cure - The Daily Californian

Researchers verify link between vitamin D and potential autism cure - The Daily Californian: Though scientists have previously noted the relationship between vitamin D and autism, the new research, published Feb. 20, highlighted the link between vitamin D and serotonin, thus confirming and explaining what were first only speculations as to the causes of the disorder.

“The more we dug, the more we were sure our theory was right, because it explained so much,” Ames said.

Air pollution exposure may increase risk of autism, schizophrenia | Fox News

Air pollution exposure may increase risk of autism, schizophrenia | Fox News: Researchers at the American Association for the Advancement of Sciences (AAAS) annual meeting in Chicago recently detailed the impact that constant exposure to air pollution may have on the developing brain. According to the panel, a series of mouse models have suggested that constant inhalation of air pollution may lead to enlargement of the brain’s ventricles – a hallmark of neurodevelopmental disorders such as schizophrenia and autism

Synesthesia Linked to Autism | Psych Central News

Synesthesia Linked to Autism | Psych Central News: New findings suggest that people with autism have a higher than average chance of also having synesthesia, the condition in which the senses are mixed.

Early Warning Signs of Autism In Toddlers - Oneindia Boldsky

Early Warning Signs of Autism In Toddlers - Oneindia Boldsky: The moment you realise that your little one has autism, you may feel like you world has come crashing down. But it is important to move on with confidence to raise your dear one by providing all the support and care he/she needs. Diagnosing autism at an early stage has great importance in deciding the future of your toddler. The effect of autism differs in toddlers, some may have mild problems, while some others will have to struggle a bit more. Whatever it is, early intervention and treatment will make a positive difference to your toddler’s development.

6-month-old infants later diagnosed with autism divert gaze from facial features

6-month-old infants later diagnosed with autism divert gaze from facial features: From birth, infants naturally show a preference for human contact and interaction, including faces and voices. These basic predispositions to social stimuli are altered in individuals diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders (ASD).

A new study published in Biological Psychiatry this week, from researchers at the Yale University School of Medicine, now reports that 6-month-old infants later diagnosed with autism divert their gaze from facial features when that face is speaking.

Clinical research: Birth complications increase autism risk — SFARI.org - Simons Foundation Autism Research Initiative

Clinical research: Birth complications increase autism risk — SFARI.org - Simons Foundation Autism Research Initiative: In premature infants, bleeding inside the skull and respiratory distress requiring a certain type of ventilator may each contribute to an increased risk of autism, suggests a large study published in the January issue of The Journal of Pediatrics1.

Gene that influences receptive joint attention in chimpanzees gives insight into autism

Gene that influences receptive joint attention in chimpanzees gives insight into autism: Following another's gaze or looking in the direction someone is pointing, two examples of receptive joint attention, is significantly heritable according to new study results from researchers at the Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University. Determining such communicative cues are significantly heritable means variation in this ability has a genetic basis, which led the researchers to the vasopressin receptor gene, known for its role in social bonding.

AUTISM CURE: Beware of Junk Science and Wild Speculation

There are many remedies for autism touted as a cure all or panacea for many things and sometimes even everything related to the disorder. Many of these remedies, which often prey on desperate parents who want the best for their child, are promoted by both the well intentioned yet poor scientists, and those seeking monetary gain and/or fame.



When Deborah Fein <  http://today.uconn.edu/blog/2010/09/recovery-from-autism/ > and others published Can Children with Autism Recover? If So How? < http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19009353  >; in 2008 she believed that with the right intervention at the right time 10-20 % of children with autism or ASD symptoms could recover, or have their symptoms significantly ameliorated. Additional research into new therapies aligned with behavioral (such as ABA) or developmental (such as DIR Floortime) or a combination (such as the Denver Model) have improved outcomes for many children since then.

It is however; crucial for any parent to understand that autism really is a spectrum of disorders with common symptoms but an extremely wide variety of causes to include many interacting risk factors and casual events. There is no one cure because there is not just one singular homogeneous disorder.

What appears to work for one child could easily be more of a coincidence than a cause and effect resulting from the touted cure. Even when you have scientific replication of a particular intervention or treatment and a subsequent cure or significant amelioration, you may have only found something that works for one particular subgroup of the disorder. For example, research at the UC Davis Mind Institute has found a particular biological intervention which brings about significant amelioration in about 1% of children and adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). For anyone to tout this as a cure all (which UC Davis does not do) for ASD would be incredibly irresponsible.

We do know that a large percentage of children with ASD also have co-occurring gastrointestinal problems which are alleviated through nutrition; though, this is rarely a complete cure for their ASD. We also know that good nutrition in general benefits everyone.

One of the manifestations of poor science and wild speculation which is prevalent in the ASD world but has probably been around since soon after the beginning of mankind is the tendency to jump to unfounded and unproven connections. Some of these speculations are as wild as saying that since medication A helps a particular person with heart disease it will also help someone with lung cancer because the two organs are housed closely together in the body. Though sometimes science has found another benefit for a particular medication, such a wild leap of speculation could be extremely dangerous without rigorous scientific examination.
As a youth I have a vivid memory of my parents sitting in the living room of our home with friends discussing medications which seemed to help them and offering to share those medications so another could try it out. At the time I had the thought, ‘no wonder kids have drug problems.’ There is sometimes a fairly cavalier attitude about medication, interventions, and even some supplements, which can be understandably caused by desperation on the part of some and laziness on the part of others. The use of good Critical Thinking <; http://criticalthinkinginfoanddiscussion.blogspot.com/ >; skills as well as asking for feedback from a wide variety of professionals in the field can be helpful in understanding the difference between junk science and wild speculative claims and solid research.



Are there interventions which can significantly improve the symptoms of ASD for many children? Yes.

Are there interventions which can significantly improve the root causes of a few with ASD? Possibly.

Are there interventions which can significantly improve behavioral issues for most children with ASD? Yes.

However; remember ASD is not one singular homogeneous disorder and any claim to cure or significantly ameliorate the root causes should be viewed with extreme caution.