Specific parent-training approaches yielded gains in short-term language function and some challenging behaviors .
Data suggest that subgroups of children displayed more prominent gains across studies , but participant characteristics associated with greater gains are not well understood .
CONTEXT : Early intensive behavioral and developmental interventions for young children with autism spectrum disorders ( ASDs ) may enhance developmental outcomes .
OBJECTIVE : To systematic ally review evidence regarding such interventions for children aged 12 and younger with ASDs .
Intensive Behavioral Treatment at School for 4- to 7-Year-Old Children with Autism
This study was design ed to evaluate 1 year of intensive treatment for 4- to 7-year-old children with autism . An independent clinician assigned children to either  behavioral treatment  ( n = 13 ) or eclectic treatment  ( n = 12 ) . Assignment 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 made significantly larger gains on st and ardized tests than did children in the 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 setting s , and that specific aspects of behavioral treatment ( not just its intensity ) may account for favorable outcomes
Specific parent-training approaches yielded gains in short-term language function and some challenging behaviors .
Data suggest that subgroups of children displayed more prominent gains across studies , but participant characteristics associated with greater gains are not well understood .
CONTEXT : Early intensive behavioral and developmental interventions for young children with autism spectrum disorders ( ASDs ) may enhance developmental outcomes .
OBJECTIVE : To systematic ally review evidence regarding such interventions for children aged 12 and younger with ASDs .