The number of children with ASD continues to grow, and the number of effective interventions is also increasing. The earlier the diagnosis and treatment, the better.
In fact, early intervention can have a long-term positive impact on a child with ASD.
Why Early Intervention is Crucial for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder
Research has shown that early intervention for autism can have positive effects on skills and symptoms over the long-term. In addition, children can be diagnosed with ASD before two years of age in some cases.
Early diagnosis is key. Intervention at or before preschool can help achieve the best possible outcome over the long-term and allow children to develop to their full potential.
At 2 to 3 Years of Age, Treatments Can Be More Effective
When children are diagnosed with ASD early on and intervention can begin before the age of 3, treatments may be more effective.
A child’s brain is still in the development phase and has a higher plasticity at this age. In other words, the brain is more changeable.
In some cases, early developmental and behavioral intervention can help children progress to the point where they are no longer considered on the autism spectrum at older ages. These children typically have better motor and language skills as well as a higher IQ than average for children with autism.
Early intervention programs aim to help children with ASD develop the skills they would typically learn by age two, such as:
- Communication skills
- Social skills
- Emotional skills
- Physical skills
- Thinking skills
Finding the right program is essential. The CDC recommends programs that offer:
- Early entry
- Full-day, intensive services five days per week for all 12 months of the year
- Instruction in small groups or sufficient one-on-one attention
How ABA Therapy in Miami Can Help Children with ASD
Applied Behavior Analysis, or ABA, is a form of early intervention treatment that has been widely adopted by treatment clinics and schools. ABA’s effectiveness is backed by decades of research.
The ABA approach discourages negative behavior and encourages positive behaviors to improve the child’s skills. Progress is also tracked and measured.
There are several forms of ABA, including but not limited to:
Early Intensive Behavioral Intervention, or EIBI
EIBI is designed for children under the age of five – ideally, under the age of three. Instructors may use a number of techniques in an EIBI program.
The aim is to help children connect definitions to both verbal and non-verbal cues, helping them better understand the world around them.
Discrete Trial Training, or DTT
DTT is a form of instruction that uses trials to teach children each step of a desired response or behavior. DTT focuses primarily on using positive reinforcement to reward correct behaviors and answers. Breaking down lessons into simple parts helps children succeed.
Pivotal Response Training, or PRT
The goal of PRT is to improve a child’s motivation to communicate, learn and monitor their behavior.
Verbal Behavior Intervention, or VBI
Just as the name suggests, VBI focuses primarily on teaching verbal skills.
ABA therapy has been shown to have long-term positive outcomes for children with ASD. However, early intervention is truly the key to success.
