Swiss Early Intervention Project in Autism: An Evaluation of Early Intervention Outcome

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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This study aims to investigate the effectiveness of early (before the age of 5 years) and intensive intervention for children with Autism Spectrum Disorders.

Detailed Description
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This study aims to investigate the effectiveness of early (before the age of 5 years) and intensive intervention for children with Autism Spectrum Disorders. The type of intervention proposed in Switzerland differs greatly depending on where people live. Several international studies show positive outcomes in children with Autism after receiving early behavioural intervention. However, Disability Insurance (DI) in Switzerland does not fully cover these scientifically proven interventions. Since January 2014 they cover 45 000 CHF per child for only two years of early treatment across five centres chosen by the Federal Social Insurance Office. The remaining costs are covered by the parents, foundations or by the cantons. In addition, families benefit from this early intervention only if their child is enrolled in one of the five selected centres. There are currently various types of support for children with Autism in Switzerland before age five, early intensive behavioural interventions, eclectic early intervention and less intensive interventions with a treatment that is not specific to Autism (about 3 hrs./week), which includes occupational therapy, speech therapy and early curative education. Some children do not receive any treatment. This research aims to evaluate the efficacy of these interventions (early intensive behavioural/ eclectic/treatment as usual) as has been done previously in international studies. The study also aims to include centres other than those selected by the Swiss Federal Social Insurance Office.

Official Title
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Swiss Early Intervention Project in Autism: An Evaluation of Early Intervention Outcome

Conditions
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Autism Spectrum Disorder

Intervention / Treatment
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* Behavioral: Early intensive behavioral intervention
* Behavioral: Early intensive eclectic intervention
* Other: Treatment as usual


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion criteria: For all groups: parents speak English, German or French diagnosis of Autism or Pervasive Developmental Disorder not otherwise specified 5 years or younger at the start of Intervention parents consent Experimental Group: family was accepted by one of the participating Service Providers Exclusion Criteria: Experimental Group: receipt of a second intervention that either interferes with the intensive Intervention or is also intensive (more than 10 hours a week) Comparison Group: receipt of any Intervention that is more than 10 hours a week

Ages Eligible for Study
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Maximum Age: 5 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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No

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Early intensive behavioral intervention<br>Children with a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder under the age of 5 years that are receiving early intensive behavioral Intervention at one of the participating centres. | Behavioral: Early intensive behavioral intervention<br>* at least 10 hours a week of early intensive behavioral intervention<br>|
| Early intensive eclectic intervention<br>Children with a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder under the age of 5 years that are receiving early intensive eclectic Intervention at the participating centre. | Behavioral: Early intensive eclectic intervention<br>* at least 10 hours a week of early intensive eclectic intervention<br>|
| Control group<br>Children with a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder under the age of 5 years that are receiving treatment as usual or no treatment at all. | Other: Treatment as usual<br>* receipt of any Intervention that is less intensive than 10 hours a week<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule-2 (ADOS-2) | Measures autism symptom severity | Annually up to 3 years | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Positive Gain Scale | Parent questionnaire | Annually up to 3 years | 
| General Positive Affect Scale | Parent questionnaire | Annually up to 3 years | 
| Questionnaire on Resources and Stress | Parent questionnaire | Annually up to 3 years | 
| Hospital anxiety and Depression scale | Parent questionnaire | Annually up to 3 years | 
| Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire | Parent questionnaire to assess siblings' behavior and potential secondary effects of the intensive Intervention delivered | Annually up to 3 years | 
| Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales II (VABS) | Parent interview; adaptive behavior | Annually up to 3 years | 
| Snijders-Oomen nicht-verbaler Intelligenztest 2 1/2 - 7 (SON-R) | IQ measure | Annually up to 3 years | 
| Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence-III (WPPSI-III) | IQ measure | Annually if child is testable up to 3 years | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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Early intervention