Intensive behavioral treatment at school for 4-to 7-year-old children withautism - A 1-year comparison controlled study

This study was designed to evaluate I year of intensive treatment for 4- to 7-year-old children with autism. An independent clinician assigned childre n to either behavioral treatment (n = 13) or eclectic treatment (n = 12). A ssignment was based on availability of personnel to supervise treatment and was not influenced by child characteristics or family preference. The two treatment groups received similar amounts of treatment (M = 28.52 hours per week at the child's school). Children in the behavioral treatment group ma de significantly larger gains on standardized tests than did children in th e eclectic treatment group. Results suggest that some 4- to 7-year-olds may make large gains with intensive behavioral treatment, that such treatment can be successfully implemented in school settings, and that specific aspec ts of behavioral treatment (not just its intensity) may account for favorab le outcomes.