Can Early Intervention Reverse Symptoms of Autism?

New study takes step forward

A promising new study called Infant Start, although small, has shown that early intervention can mitigate and prevent the full onset of symptoms associated with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in infants. Dr. Sally J. Rogers and Dr. Sally Ozonoff, professors of Psychiatry and Behavioural Sciences at the University of California, have recently published their groundbreaking findings in the Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders in an article entitled “Autism treatment in the first year of life: A pilot study of Infant Start, a parent-implemented intervention for symptomatic infants”.

This study is particularly important as the prevalence of ASD has been increasing steadily for the past four decades. In 1975, approximately one in 1,500 people had autism, and in 2009, approximately one in 110 had some form of ASD. Part of the increase can be attributed to more awareness and understanding of the condition and the recognition of it as a spectrum which includes the milder cases as well as the very severe incidences. However, more accurate diagnoses are not solely responsible for the 600% increase. It is not yet known which factors are causing the rise, but there has been mounting pressure to recognize ASD as a public health crisis and improve awareness and treatment methods accordingly. This study is a milestone for those individuals who participated in it, the ASD community, and the public good.

The study pilot-tested a 12 week treatment which taught parents how to read their babies cues and make the children enjoy the reward of social interaction; this type of therapy through play and daily routines  is known as the Early Start Denver Model (ESDM) intervention, and was developed at Duke University in North Carolina. The low-intensity treatment was given to seven babies aged 7-15 months by their parents and by 36 months, six out of the seven children were caught up developmentally with other children their age. There were four control groups for the treatment group including non-autistic children with older siblings with ASD, children who were the younger siblings of normally developing children, infants who developed ASD by 36 months, and children who also had early autism symptoms but chose to get treatment at an older age.

The study outcomes are promising, but a randomized trial will need to be undertaken before the efficacy of the treatment can be gauged. The study is particularly unique because it attempts to address the symptoms of ASD at such a young age. Most children with ASD are diagnosed during or after toddlerhood. The treatment is also very appealing because it is unlikely to be harmful since parents are not doing anything unusual; they are merely playing with their babies in a very alert, intentional way. Professor Rogers cautions against calling this a ‘cure’ for autism, and states that “People with ASD contribute greatly to our culture. The diversity of human nature is what makes us a powerful and strong species. We are trying to reduce the disability associated with ASD.”