EARLY INTERVENTION IN AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER: EXPLORING NEURODEVELOPMENTAL CONTEXT, THERAPEUTIC APPROACHES, AND TREATMENT OUTCOMES

Abstract

Objective: This manuscript explores the neurodevelopmental context of early intervention for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and discusses the optimal timing for initiating intervention, primary intervention approaches, and predictors of treatment outcomes. It also provides an overview of various therapies commonly used for autism. The Early Start Denver Model is highlighted as an evidence-based early intervention approach.
 Methods: This comparative study involved 30 subjects randomly divided into Group A (early intervention) and Group B (late intervention). The study duration was six weeks, with four training sessions per week. Pre and post-treatment evaluations were conducted. The sample size was 15 participants in each group, and materials such as informed consent, assessment forms, and measuring tape were used. The study employed a random sampling method and set inclusion and exclusion criteria.
 Results: The distribution of cases according to age revealed that Group A had a higher proportion of individuals in the 4-6 y age group (40%), while Group B had the majority in the 9-14 y age group (73.33%). In terms of cognitive ability, Group A had a higher proportion of cases in the Poor (46.67%) and Very Poor (46.67%) categories, while Group B had more cases in the Good (33.33%) and Mild (33.33%) categories. However, the chi-square test did not yield statistically significant differences between the two groups for cognitive ability.
 Conclusion: This study highlights the importance of early intervention for individuals with ASD, as indicated by the higher proportion of younger individuals in Group A. However, the lack of statistical significance in the chi-square test emphasizes the need for further investigation and consideration of other influencing factors. The study contributes to the growing body of knowledge on early intervention for ASD and calls for larger sample sizes and rigorous study designs in future research to provide more robust evidence.