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 .
Early Intervention with a Parent-Delivered Massage Protocol Directed at Tactile Abnormalities Decreases Severity of Autism and Improves Child-to-Parent Interactions: A Replication Study
Tactile abnormalities are severe and universal in preschool children with autism . They respond well to treatment with a daily massage protocol directed at tactile abnormalities ( QST massage for autism ) . Treatment is based on a model for autism proposing that tactile impairment poses a barrier to development . Two previous r and omized controlled trials evaluating five months of massage treatment reported improvement of behavior , social/communication skills , and tactile and other sensory symptoms . This is the first report from a two-year replication study evaluating the protocol in 103 preschool children with autism . Parents gave daily treatment ; trained staff gave weekly treatment and parent support . Five-month outcomes replicated earlier studies and showed normalization of receptive language ( 18 % , P = .03 ) , autistic behavior ( 32 % , P = .006 ) , total sensory abnormalities ( 38 % , P = .0000005 ) , tactile abnormalities ( 49 % , P = .0002 ) , and decreased autism severity ( medium to large effect size , P = .008 ) . In addition , parents reported improved child-to-parent interactions , bonding , and decreased parenting stress ( 44 % , P = .00008 ) . Early childhood special education programs are tasked with addressing sensory abnormalities and engaging parents in effective home programs . Until now , they have lacked research -based methods to do so . This program fulfills the need . It is recommended to parents and ECSE programs ( ages 3–5 ) at autism diagnosis
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 .