Early intervention at two years of age can improve the prognosis of autism cases. Helping parents to communicate with their child can reduce the symptoms of the disease, with measurable results even six years after the therapeutic action, according with a British research.
The study, published by the medical journal The Lancet, compared to 152 autistic children divided into two groups. The first he benefited from early intervention and the control group received assistance usually given in specialized centers. All children were followed on average for six years.
According to the journal, this is the first study to identify the long-term effect of early intervention in autism cases. The results are “encouraging”, said study leader Jonathan Green, professor at the University of Manchester. While most symptoms decreased in children with early intervention, Green stressed that this therapy is not a “remedy”. Despite their improvement, the children continued having symptoms of the disease.
The early intervention consisted of recording the parents interacting with their children, so that therapists can help them understand their children and communicate better. Then, the parents received 12 therapy sessions for six months, followed by monthly sessions during the next semester. They committed to dedicate between 20 and 30 minutes each day to communication activities and planned games with their children.
Overall, the authors of the study observed in the group with the early approach a decrease of 17% of children with severe symptoms compared to the control group. It was also found an improvement in communication of children with their parents, in socializing with their peers, in understanding social communication and repetitive behaviors relief. However, in none of the groups improved mental health indicators such as anxiety, depression or challenging attitudes.
In their growth, children with autism will continue to need help in many aspects of their lives, explained the study authors, who continue working to improve their method.
Source: La Jornada
