Breakthrough therapy helps autistic children

Autistic children as young as 18 months are being helped by a new breakthrough therapy.  The children’s IQ, language skills and social interaction are all improving, researchers have found.

The Early Start Denver Model, which combines behavioural analysis with developmental aids, offers genuine help to parents of autistic children, especially for those who are younger than 30 months.

The therapy can be used by parents in their own homes, and it incorporates many different learning possibilities and styles throughout the day.

In a five-year study of 48 autistic children, the 24 who took part in the Denver Model had improved their IQ score by 18 points, compared with a four-point improvement in the group who were given standard community care.  The Denver group achieved a similar improvement in their language skills, compared with the 10-point improvement seen in the community group.

(Source: Pediatrics, November 30, 2009; doi: 10.1542/peds.2009-0958).