As reported in one of my most favorite research newsletters, Science Daily on November 30, 2009, early intervention for toddlers with autism is highly effective. The study reports that it is appropriate for children with autism who are less than two and half years of age to be considered for intervention. This newsletter reminds us that all 18 and 24 month old children are screened for autism. “It is crucial that parents offer effective therapies for children in this age range,” said Geraldine Dawson, Chief Science Officer of Autism Speaks and the study’s lead author. “By starting as soon as the toddler is diagnosed, we hope to maximize the positive impact of the intervention.”

In The Journal of Pediatrics, we learn of an intervention called the Early Start Denver Model. While the children in the study were 18 month olds, the intervention is designed to be appropriate for as young as 12 month olds with autism. Interventions have been tested for older children but not for toddlers. “The toddlers were separated into two groups, one that received 20 hours/week of the intervention and two 2-hour sessions that are five days a week from the Autism Specialists. They also received five hours/week of parent-delivered therapy. Children in the second group were referred to as community-based programs for therapy. The Autism Specialists monitored both groups.”

The results: The IQs of the children in the intervention group had improved by an average of 18 points compared to a little more than four points in the comparison group. Only one child in the community-based intervention group had an improved diagnosis compared to seven in the intervention group.

This study was funded by a grant from the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH).

As the finalization of the Stimulus Package funding (ARRA) is becoming clearer to infant and toddler providers in the field, it is encouraging to observe the attention that is being placed using good solid research regarding child development to guide purchases. Often research connections are stressed in prekindergarten to high school. However, more and more we are learning to review research findings for the very little ones too. Terrific!

Zero to Three in my view offers one of the best research sources available. The website is filled with an abundance of information regarding developmental milestones, what actions to expect from babies or toddlers and general guidance for parents and caregivers. If you are the recipient of ARRA, before you purchase one item, visit www.zerotothree.org. My daughter has found this website invaluable to her as she raises two little boys.

There are other sites with excellent infant and toddler research findings to review. They will be mentioned in future blogs.