Early Intervention ABA for Toddlers with ASD: Effect of Age and Amount

Abstract

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a developmental disability manifested early in life. About 26–40% of young children with ASD have intellectual disability (ID). Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) has been shown to be effective in reducing symptoms of ASD and improving cognitive and language function. The purpose of this study was to examine the optimal age, number of treatment hours and domains, for which ABA was effective in a community based early intervention program. An ABA program was implemented with 106 toddlers under 40 months, many of whom were from immigrant families with limited English proficiency. Bayley Scales, VBMAPP and CARS-2 were administered as Pre-and Post-intervention program measures. The children showed significant improvement in all Bayley and VBMAPP measures as well as reduction in symptoms of ASD. The current study shows that ABA early intervention in a community setting provides statistically significant improvement in cognitive, communication, motor, socio-emotional, adaptive and criterion referenced behavior as well as a reduction in symptoms of ASD and barriers to learning.