Predictors best outcome autism?

Question

What are some predictors of success through treatment (therapy) for autistic kids? For example, age of onset of treatment, IQ, etc... If you have a link to back up your answer that would also be appreciated

Answer 1

www.autism.com The Autism Research Institute in CA. asks parents of children with autism to fill out surveys so they can see if they can figure out exactly what you are asking.You may find info there that will help you out.Good luck!

Answer 2

Some autistic kids can speak and interact with other people. These are high functioning AU kids. The results for them are better.

Also, the therapy and  the age when treatment begins are also important. Use of Applied Behavior Analysis, particularly a method called "Verbal Behavior" have very high success rates.

You might go to the Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis and look at some of the many studies of autism.

Answer 3

Yale has an excellent study on children with autism . . . it also addresses the various degrees of mental retardation associated with autism.  Yale Children with Autism Study.

Answer 4

Some studies have found that early intervention is most important in working with kids with ASD.  Many times it's ABA training, but others such as floortime, TEACCH strategies, and speech and PT/OT, plus sensory integration activities, or a combination of all of the above, are helpful.

Age of intervention is important - I went to a seminar by a researcher in California, and she said that they are identifying some infants as young as 6 months old (although 12 months is more likely).  Obviously, the sooner you get help the better, but there is no hard evidence of any one factor that is the definite, deciding factor.

Research (and common sense) tells us that early intervention is best.