Intervention Programs For Young Children Research Articles

Efficacy of CEITA early intervention program for young children with autism spectrum disorders: A randomized controlled trial design

Background This study examined the efficacy of the Comprehensive Early Intervention for Toddlers with Autism (CEITA) program for children with autism spectrum disorders in Malaysia. Methods A randomized control trial design was adopted, in which 16 children (mean age= 34.25 months) were assigned to either the intervention group (n=8) or the control group (n=8). Children in the intervention group underwent three months of low intensity (2hrs/week) CEITA program intervention, whereas the control group received no treatment. Autism symptoms and developmental growth scores were measured at baseline, post-treatment, and 6-week follow-up to evaluate the efficacy of the CEITA program. Results Multivariate analysis of covariance results showed a significant intervention effect, whereby autism symptoms were significantly reduced (η2 = 0.36), and growth scores for all developmental domains (η2 = 0.20-0.66) were significantly increased. Conclusion Hence, this study highlights the potential of the CEITA program’s clinical implications, and relevant future research is recommended. Trial registration Reg number: NMRR ID-22-00626-8LB, dated 29th April 2022.

A comparison of fixed and repetitive models to teach object imitation to children with autism.

A well-established imitative repertoire can facilitate the acquisition of functional communication, social behaviors, and observational learning. Although early intensive behavioral intervention programs for young children with autism incorporate imitation training, learners with autism may exhibit difficulties in acquiring an imitative repertoire. Few studies have evaluated the types of models responsible for acquisition when teaching imitation to children with autism. A preliminary evaluation with fixed and repetitive model targets suggested that children with autism may acquire imitation more rapidly when taught with repetitive models (Deshais & Vollmer, 2020). The purpose of the current study was to compare the rates of acquisition when teaching with repetitive and fixed models for six children with autism. The findings suggested that (a) fixed models resulted in the most efficient acquisition for 10 of 16 comparisons, (b) fixed and repetitive models had similar efficacy for four comparisons, (c) and the repetitive condition was most efficient for two comparisons.

Development and Usability Testing of a Web-Based Adaptation of the Joint Attention, Symbolic Play, Engagement, and Regulation Social Communication Intervention

Purpose: Technology-enabled adaptations of efficacious in-person early intervention programs for young children with autism spectrum disorder have the potential to conserve resources while increasing access to specialized educational services. Usability testing of online programs can support participant engagement by aligning program navigation and content presentation with the needs and preferences of the target end users. Method: The project includes formative work to develop a technology-enabled adaptation of the evidence-based caregiver-mediated Joint Attention, Symbolic Play, Engagement, and Regulation (Kasari et al., 2010) social communication intervention to be delivered by community-based early interventionists and early childhood special educators who are serving families of young children with autism in rural and remote communities. Usability testing included two components: (a) Think Aloud real-time feedback interviews (Davison et al., 1997) and (b) completion of the System Usability Scale (Sauro, 2011). The measures were conducted to explore the stakeholders' interactions with the system. Results: Feedback was largely positive indicating that the online materials were straight forward to navigate, the content was valued, visuals enhanced the experience, and multiple methods to access information (e.g., listen or read) were appreciated. Suggestions for improvement included adding further video examples, reducing page scrolling, and making some activities optional (e.g., text boxes, multiple-choice questions). Conclusions: Overall, participants smoothly navigated through the pilot materials. Revisions are being implemented to incorporate the participants' feedback.

Establishing a hospital-based early intervention program for young children with cancer: A quality improvement initiative.

Establishing a hospital-based early intervention program for young children with cancer: A quality improvement initiative.

Analysis of a Statewide Early Intervention Program for Young Children with ASD.

We evaluated the effectiveness of a statewide Medicaid program providing in-home Early Intensive Behavioral Intervention services to young children with Autism Spectrum Disorder living in a rural southern state. Program effectiveness was assessed via the Assessment of Basic Language and Learning Skills-Revised (ABLLS-R). A multi-level growth model was used to show significant variation among children's initial ABLLS-R scores and their growth trajectories. Hispanic children tended to have lower initial scores but demonstrated similar growth compared to their non-Hispanic peers. Children who were older at initial start in the program appeared to have higher initial composite scores and higher growth trajectories. Children in more populous counties had higher initial scores but grew at similar rates to children in more rural counties.

Supplemental Material for Establishing a Hospital-Based Early Intervention Program for Young Children With Cancer: A Quality Improvement Initiative

Supplemental Material for Establishing a Hospital-Based Early Intervention Program for Young Children With Cancer: A Quality Improvement Initiative

Surviving and Thriving: Early Intervention for Neonatal Survivors With Developmental Disability in Uganda.

Global attention on early child development, inclusive of those with disability, has the potential to translate into improved action for the millions of children with developmental disability living in low- and middle-income countries. Nurturing care is crucial for all children, arguably even more so for children with developmental disability. A high proportion of survivors of neonatal conditions such as prematurity and neonatal encephalopathy are affected by early child developmental disability. The first thousand days of life is a critical period for neuroplasticity and an important window of opportunity for interventions, which maximize developmental potential and other outcomes. Since 2010, our group has been examining predictors, outcomes, and experiences of neonatal encephalopathy in Uganda. The need for an early child intervention program to maximize participation and improve the quality of life for children and families became apparent. In response, the “ABAaNA early intervention program,” (now re-branding as ‘Baby Ubuntu’) a group participatory early intervention program for young children with developmental disability and their families, was developed and piloted. Piloting has provided early evidence of feasibility, acceptability, and impact and a feasibility trial is underway. Future research aims to develop programmatic capacity across diverse settings and evaluate its impact at scale.

Early intervention for children at risk of visual processing dysfunctions from 1 year of age: a randomized controlled trial protocol

BackgroundAn increasing number of children are suffering from brain damage-related visual processing dysfunctions (VPD). There is currently a lack of evidence-based intervention methods that can be used early in development. We developed a visual intervention protocol suitable from 1 year of age. The protocol is structured, comprehensive and individually adaptive, and is paired with quantitative outcome assessments. Our aim is to investigate the effectiveness of this first visual intervention program for young children with (a risk of) VPD.MethodsThis is a single-blind, placebo-controlled trial that is embedded within standard clinical care. The study population consists of 100 children born very or extremely preterm (< 30 weeks) at 1 year of corrected age (CA), of whom 50% are expected to have VPD. First, children undergo a visual screening at 1 year CA. If they are classified as being at risk of VPD, they are referred to standard care, which involves an ophthalmic and visual function assessment and a (newly developed) visual intervention program. This program consists of a general protocol (standardized and similar for all children) and a supplement protocol (adapted to the specific needs of the child). Children are randomly allocated to an intervention group (starting upon inclusion at 1 year CA) or a control group (postponed: starting at 2 years CA). The control group will receive a placebo treatment. The effectiveness of early visual intervention will be examined with follow-up visual and neurocognitive assessments after 1 year (upon completion of the direct intervention) and after 2 years (upon completion of the postponed intervention).DiscussionThrough this randomized controlled trial we will establish the effectiveness of a new and early visual intervention program. Combining a general and supplement protocol enables both structured comparisons between participants and groups, and custom habilitation that is tailored to a child’s specific needs. The design ensures that all included children will benefit from participation by advancing the age at which they start receiving an intervention. We expect results to be applicable to the overall population of children with (a risk of) VPD early in life.Trial registrationNetherlands Trial Register: NTR6952. Registered 19 January 2018.

Service Preferences of Parents of Children With Mild Bilateral or Unilateral Hearing Loss: A Conjoint Analysis Study

Universal newborn hearing screening results in substantially more children with mild bilateral and unilateral hearing loss identified in the early years of life. While intervention services for children with moderate loss and greater are generally well-established, considerable uncertainty and variation surrounds the need for intervention services for children with milder losses. This study was undertaken with parents of young children with permanent mild bilateral and unilateral hearing loss to examine their preferences for characteristics associated with intervention services. Conjoint analysis, a preference-based technique, was employed to study parents' strength of preferences. Using a cross-sectional survey that consisted of eight hypothetical clinic scenarios, we invited parents to make a discrete choice (to select one of two or more different services) between available services with different characteristics. The survey was informed by qualitative interviews conducted for this purpose. The questionnaire was administered to parents receiving intervention services in the province of Ontario, Canada, who were enrolled in a mixed-methods longitudinal study examining outcomes in early-identified children with mild bilateral/unilateral hearing loss. Data were analyzed using a generalized linear model (probit link) to identify attributes of interest for the respondents. Characteristics of the children were entered into the model to control for differences in age of diagnosis, sex, laterality of hearing loss, and hearing aid use. A total of 51 of 62 invited parents completed the questionnaire. All four attributes of care that were included in the survey were found to be statistically significant, that is, parents valued support for amplification, support for speech-language development, emotional support, and communication from professionals. Analysis showed greater preference for enhanced levels relating to support for speech-language development than for support for amplification. Preference for attributes relating to emotional support and communication were also greater than for support for amplification use. Conjoint analysis was used to quantify parents' preferences for service attributes. Parents' values provide insights into the aspects of a service model that should receive consideration in the development of intervention programs for young children with mild bilateral or unilateral hearing loss and their families. Although parents of young children with mild bilateral or unilateral hearing loss valued several components of care, they indicated a clear preference for speech-language support compared with support for amplification use.

Applying a Developmental Framework to the Self‐Regulatory Difficulties of Young Children with Prenatal Alcohol Exposure: A Review

Prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) can be associated with significant difficulties in self-regulatory abilities. As such, interventions have been developed that focus on improving varying aspects of self-regulation for this population. The application of a multilevel theoretical framework that describes the development of self-regulation during early childhood could further advance the field. First, this framework could assist in elucidating mechanisms in the trajectories of early adjustment problems in this population and, second, informing the development of more precise assessment and interventions for those affected by PAE. The aims of the current review were to provide an overview of the self-regulatory framework proposed by Calkins and colleagues (e.g., Calkins, 2007; Calkins and Fox, 2002); examine the self-regulatory difficulties that are commonly experienced during infancy (i.e., 0 to 2years) and early childhood (i.e., 3 to 8years) in children with PAE in the context of the developmental framework; and describe how the framework can inform the development of future assessment and intervention provision for young children with PAE. The application of a developmental framework, such as proposed by Calkins and colleagues, allows for a systematic and theoretically driven approach to assessment and intervention programs for young children with PAE.

Real-world effectiveness of different early intervention programs for children with autism spectrum disorders in Greece

ABSTRACTThe effectiveness of several community-based early intervention programs for young children (2.5–6.5 years old) with autism spectrum disorder in Greece were compared, as they occurred in a community setting over a nine-month period. There were few differences in functioning change between programs, but applied behavior analysis (ABA) was most effective in improving intellectual functioning. Child age did not predict outcomes, although children fared better with ABA if they had started at a younger age, and there was little impact of this factor on the outcomes for the other programs. The slight advantage for ABA programs may need to be weighed against the potential costs of the program.

Reducing child problem behaviors and improving teacher-child interactions and relationships: A randomized controlled trial of BEST in CLASS

Research has consistently linked early problem behavior with later adjustment problems, including antisocial behavior, learning problems and risk for the development of emotional/behavioral disorders (EBDs). Researchers have focused upon developing effective intervention programs for young children who arrive in preschool exhibiting chronic problem behaviors; however, Tier-2 interventions that can be delivered by teachers with fidelity in authentic settings are lacking. This study examined the effect of BEST in CLASS, a Tier-2 intervention delivered by teachers, on child problem behavior, teacher-child interactions and teacher-child relationships using a cluster randomized controlled trial design. Participants were 465 children (3–5year olds) identified at risk for the development of EBDs and their 185 teachers from early childhood programs located in two southeastern states. Significant effects were found across both teacher reported (ES ranging from 0.23 to 0.42) and observed child outcomes (ES ranging form 0.44–0.46), as well as teacher-child relationships (ES ranging from 0.26 to 0.29) and observed teacher-children interactions (ES ranging from 0.26 to 0.45), favoring the BEST in CLASS condition. Results suggest the promise of BEST in CLASS as a Tier-2 intervention for use in authentic early childhood classroom contexts and provide implications for future research on transactional models of teacher and child behavior.

The effects of a home-based intervention conducted by college students for young children with developmental delays in Vietnam

Objectives: The project assessed the efficacy of a home-based intervention program for young children (n = 64, ages ranging from 3 to 6 years) with developmental delays in Vietnam. It was hypothesized that the children in the intervention group would show greater progress in adaptive behavior than the children in the control group.Methods: Assessment of the program efficacy was carried out by comparing children who received services for 6 months and those who did not. Children who were recognized as having developmental delays by teachers in kindergarten programs, and confirmed by trained evaluators based on the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scale-II (VABS-II), were randomly assigned to intervention and control groups. Twenty student teachers were recruited from a teaching university and were provided with pre-program training and ongoing supervision.Results: The outcomes of the program were examined at 0, 3, and 6 months using the VABS-II. The intervention group improved significantly more than the control group in overall adaptive functioning and in the areas of communication, social skills, and motor skills.Conclusion: The project is one of only a few early intervention projects to apply randomized control trials in a low-middle-income country. The results demonstrate the feasibility of carrying out the intervention program using teachers with no prior experience of working with children with delays/disabilities, where professional resources are scarce for this population.

Effectiveness of a parent-implemented intervention program for young children with cleft palate

ObjectiveThis study investigated the effectiveness of a parent-implemented intervention on children's speech-language development and parents’ interaction styles. MethodsSeventeen children with cleft palate (CP) and their mothers participated in all sessions of a parent-implemented intervention program. Nine children with CP and their mothers who did not receive the intervention were included to examine the full effectiveness of the program. The intervention program consisted of four phases, pre-intervention test, parent training, parent-implemented intervention at children's home for 3 months, and post-intervention test. Children's language and speech measures and maternal measures from pre- and post-intervention tests were compared between groups (intervention vs. no intervention). ResultsChildren who received a parent-implemented intervention exhibited significant improvement in language measures based on standardized tests and quantitative language and speech measures from spontaneous utterances. The children in the intervention group showed a significantly greater extent of change in expressive vocabulary size, number of total words, and mean length of utterance than did those who did not receive the intervention. Mothers who received the training showed a significantly decreased number of different words, increased responsiveness, and decreased non-contingent utterances for children's communication acts compared to those who did not receive the training. ConclusionsThe results of the study support the effectiveness of parent-implemented early intervention on positive changes in children's speech-language development and mothers’ use of communication strategies.

PLAY Project Home Consultation intervention program for young children with autism spectrum disorders: a randomized controlled trial.

ABSTRACT:Objective:To evaluate the effectiveness of the Play and Language for Autistic Youngsters (PLAY) Project Home Consultation model, in combination with usual community services (CS), to improve parent-child interaction, child development, and autism symptomatology in young children with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) compared with CS only.Methods:Children (N = 128) with autism or PDD-NOS (DSM-4 criteria) aged 2 years 8 months to 5 years 11 months and recruited from 5 disability agencies in 4 US states were randomized in two 1-year cohorts. Using videotape and written feedback within a developmental framework, PLAY consultants coached caregivers monthly for 12 months to improve caregiver-child interaction. CS included speech/language and occupational therapy and public education services. Primary outcomes included change in parent-child interactions, language and development, and autism-related diagnostic category/symptoms. Secondary outcomes included parent stress and depression and home consultant fidelity. Data were collected pre- and post-intervention.Results:Using intent-to-treat analysis (ITT), large treatment effects were evident for parent and child interactional behaviors on the Maternal and Child Behavior Rating Scales. Child language and developmental quotient did not differ over time by group, although functional development improved significantly. PLAY children improved in diagnostic categories on the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS). PLAY caregivers' stress did not increase, and depressive symptomatology decreased. Home consultants administered the intervention with fidelity.Conclusions:PLAY intervention demonstrated substantial changes in parent-child interaction without increasing parents' stress/depression. ADOS findings must be interpreted cautiously because results do not align with clinical experience. PLAY offers communities a relatively inexpensive effective intervention for children with ASD and their parents.

Child-Centric Intervention Research: The Devil is in the Detail

This paper discusses conceptual, ethical, pragmatic and paradigmatic constraints encountered in a T2 ‘bench to bedside’ translational research endeavour piloting an early intervention program for young children who have experienced sexual abuse. The resultant child-centric intervention research framework emerged from the challenges associated with trauma-related clinical work, the absence of an evidence-base and the difficulties of adopting traditional positivistic methodologies when evaluating practice in this complex field. Critically, the resultant framework was person-centred and, hence, individually responsive. More specifically, it was child-centred and so developmental and systemic issues were privileged.

Developmental Science and Preventive Interventions for Children at Environmental Risk.

The current status of preventive intervention programs for young children at environmental risk designed to reduce the school readiness gap is examined in the context of developmental science. A review of program effectiveness suggests that future progress may depend upon committing to a specific developmental approach consistent with the knowledge base of developmental science and establishing a generally agreed upon and unambiguous framework, set of goals, and associated mechanisms. The Developmental Systems Approach is suggested as one model that is consistent with developmental and existing intervention science, supporting an emphasis on program continuity, relationships, and comprehensiveness. A long-term plan for community-based systems development is presented.

Severe Visual Impairments in Infants and Toddlers in the United States

Introduction This article describes the most prevalent visual conditions and other demographic characteristics of 5,931 young children with severe visual impairments in 28 states in the United States, the largest sample reported to date. The information presented in this article can assist in planning and implementing programs. Method The data were collected at the time of entry into specialized early intervention programs for young children with visual impairments through reviews of records, interviews, and direct observations. They were sent to Babies Count: The National Registry for Children with Visual Impairments, Birth to 3 Years at the American Printing House for the Blind. The data were collected and entered between January 2005 and April 2011. Results Cortical visual impairment, retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), and optic nerve hypoplasia were the three most prevalent diagnoses. Approximately 60% were identified as being legally blind, and 65% had disabilities in addition to visual impairments. The mean age of the children at the time of diagnosis was 4.9 (SD = 5.7) months, referral to specialized programs was at 10.5 (SD = 7.8) months, and entry into specialized programs was at 11.6 (SD = 8.0) months. There was an average lag of 5.6 months between the diagnosis and referral. Discussion Cortical visual impairment, ROP, and optic nerve hypoplasia continue to be the leading causes of severe, uncorrectable visual impairments in children in the United States. ROP appears to be decreasing in prevalence; however, more children with ROP appear to have additional disabilities. The lag of 5.6 months between diagnosis and referral, a longer lag than was previously reported, is of concern. Implications for practitioners Information about the characteristics of children with severe uncorrectable visual conditions is valuable for communicating with families, planning and implementing early intervention and educational programs, and collaborating with medical professionals.

The Interactive Effects of Mothers' Reactions and Children's Temperament on 3- to 6-Year-Olds' Aggression

The present study investigated the direct and interactive effects of children’s temperament and mothers’ reactions to hypothetical vignettes of children’s aggression on 3- to 6-year-old children’s overt aggression (OA) and relational aggression (RA). A total of 317 mothers of 3- to 6-year-old children and 26 teachers from eight day-care centers and kindergartens were contacted. Each mother reported her child’s background, assessed her child’s temperament and responded to the Mothers’ Reaction to Hypothetical Vignettes of Children’s Aggression (MRCA) scale. Children’s OA and RA were assessed by teachers. Results showed that high levels of children’s surgency predicted children’s OA and RA. Although mothers’ reactions did not predict children’s OA and RA directly, significant interactions indicated that mothers’ restrictive reactions were more strongly related to children’s OA for children with high levels of surgency and low levels of effortful control. In addition, mothers’ responsive reactions were more strongly related to children’s OA for children with low levels of surgency. This study demonstrates that relative contributions of children’s temperament and mothers’ reactions differ according to the form of children’s aggression. It also shows that certain types and levels of mothers’ reactions to children’s aggressive behavior can be critical for children with certain types and levels of temperament in developing children’s overt aggression. The findings of this study can be applied to building early prevention and future intervention programs for young children’s aggression.

A Review of Intervention Programs to Prevent and Treat Behavioral Problems in Young Children with Developmental Disabilities

Children with developmental disabilities are at higher risk for internalizing and externalizing behavioral problems than children in the general population. Effective prevention and treatment programs are necessary to reduce the burden of behavioral problems in this population. The current review identified 17 controlled trials of nine intervention programs for young children with developmental disabilities, with parent training the most common type of intervention in this population. Nearly all studies demonstrated medium to large intervention effects on child behavior post-intervention. Preliminary evidence suggests interventions developed for the general population can be effective for children with developmental disabilities and their families. A greater emphasis on the prevention of behavior problems in young children with developmental disabilities prior to the onset of significant symptoms or clinical disorders is needed. Multi-component interventions may be more efficacious for child behavior problems and yield greater benefits for parent and family adjustment. Recommendations for future research directions are provided.