Research for Applied Behavior Analysis:
38 Cases of Autism Recovery Studied in the Context of Intensive Applied Behavior Analysis
An ongoing debate in the autism community is whether or not recovery is possible. Researchers considered this idea in the context of early intervention with applied behavior analysis. Their definition of recovery was achieving a level of functioning that makes it impossible to differentiate between an individual diagnosed with autism and their neurotypical peers. The findings were published in an article titled Retrospective Analysis of Clinical Records in 38 Cases of Recovery from Autism.
The researchers examined the charts of 38 children with autism spectrum disorders. All 38 children were described as experiencing “optimal outcomes” with intensive applied behavior analysis. The researchers looked at the mean age at which the ABA intervention was started, average IQ at the start and end of ABA treatment, and mean adaptive skills at the start and end of the ABA program.
The study showed that the mean age of the 38 individuals showing recovery was 40 months when starting the early ABA intervention. The average IQ prior to starting the applied behavior analysis program was 83.6 and increased to 107.9 at the end of the program. The mean adaptive skills score was 68.04 prior to the start of the ABA intervention and 88.87 at the end of the program.
The authors state that this data suggests that some children who participate in intensive applied behavior analysis programs will achieve a level of functioning that is considered average.
Source:
Granpeesheh, Doreen. “Retrospective Analysis of Clinical Records in 38 Cases of Recovery from Autism.” Annals of Clinical Psychiatry 21.4 (2009): 195-204. Print.
Additional Information:
- View Autism Research Abstract on PubMed for Retrospective Analysis of Clinical Records in 38 Cases of Recovery from Autism
- List of ABA Research
- More Information on Autism Treatments and Therapies
- More Information About Autism
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