Two-year outcomes for children with autism after the cessation of early intensive behavioral intervention

Kovshoff, H., Hastings, R. and Remington, B. (2011) Two-year outcomes for children with autism after the cessation of early intensive behavioral intervention. Behavior Modification, 35 (5), 427-450. (doi:10.1177/0145445511405513).

Abstract

Evidence from recent meta-analytic and narrative review suggests that early
intensive behavioral intervention (EIBI) may improve life chances of preschool
children with autism. Unfortunately, there are few data indicating whether
early gains are maintained after intervention ceases. The purpose of the present
study was to establish the 2-year follow-up outcome for children with
autism (N = 41) who had participated in an earlier 2-year controlled comparison
of EIBI. Twenty-three children in the intervention group (100% of
original sample) and 18 in the treatment-as-usual comparison group (86% of
original sample) were located and retested. Group differences favoring intervention
substantially diluted in this period but varied significantly between
subgroups who had received university-supervised and parent-commissioned
interventions, favoring the latter. These groups differed in terms of their baseline
characteristics and intensity of intervention. Results strongly suggest a need
for better characterization of those children who would benefit from more
active maintenance programs.

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Contributors

Author: H. Kovshoff

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