CONCLUSION Non-specialist mediated interventions for autism spectrum disorder demonstrate effectiveness across a range of outcomes for children with autism and their caregivers
INTRODUCTION In recent years , several non-specialist mediated interventions have been developed and tested to address problematic symptoms associated with autism .
These can be implemented with a fraction of cost required for specialist delivered interventions .
This review represents a robust evidence of clinical effectiveness of these interventions in improving the social , motor and communication deficits among children with autism .
Cost Offset Associated With Early Start Denver Model for Children With Autism.
OBJECTIVE To determine the effect of the Early Start Denver Model ( ESDM ) for treatment of young children with autism on health care service use and costs . METHOD We used data from a r and omized trial that tested the efficacy of the ESDM , which is based on developmental and applied behavioral analytic principles and delivered by trained therapists and parents , for 2 years . Parents were interviewed about their children 's service use every 6 months from the onset of the intervention to follow-up ( age 6 years ) . The sample for this study consisted of 39 children with autism who participated in the original r and omized trial at age 18 to 30 months , and were also assessed at age 6 years . Of this sample , 21 children were in the ESDM group , and 18 children were in the community care ( COM ) group . Reported services were categorized and costed by applying unit hourly costs . Annualized service use and costs during the intervention and post intervention for the two study arms were compared . RESULTS During the intervention , children who received the ESDM had average annualized total health-related costs that were higher by about $ 14,000 than those of children who received community-based treatment . The higher cost of ESDM was partially offset during the intervention period because children in the ESDM group used less  applied behavior analysis (ABA)/early intensive behavioral intervention ( EIBI )  and  speech therapy services than children in the comparison group . In the postintervention period , compared with children who had earlier received treatment as usual in community setting s , children in the ESDM group used less ABA/EIBI , occupational/physical therapy , and speech therapy services , result ing in significant cost savings in the amount of about $ 19,000 per year per child . CONCLUSION Costs associated with ESDM treatment were fully offset within a few years after the intervention because of reductions in other service use and associated costs . CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION INFORMATION Early Characteristics of Autism ; http:// clinical trials.gov/ ; NCT0009415
CONCLUSION Non-specialist mediated interventions for autism spectrum disorder demonstrate effectiveness across a range of outcomes for children with autism and their caregivers
INTRODUCTION In recent years , several non-specialist mediated interventions have been developed and tested to address problematic symptoms associated with autism .
These can be implemented with a fraction of cost required for specialist delivered interventions .
This review represents a robust evidence of clinical effectiveness of these interventions in improving the social , motor and communication deficits among children with autism .