Autism Spectrum Disorder
Conditions
Keywords
Early intervention
Brief summary
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
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.
Interventions
BEHAVIORALEarly intensive behavioral intervention
at least 10 hours a week of early intensive behavioral intervention
BEHAVIORALEarly intensive eclectic intervention
at least 10 hours a week of early intensive eclectic intervention
OTHERTreatment as usual
receipt of any Intervention that is less intensive than 10 hours a week
Sponsors
University of Zurich
Study design
Observational model
OTHER
Time perspective
PROSPECTIVE
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
No minimum to 5 Years
Healthy volunteers
No
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
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule-2 (ADOS-2) | Annually up to 3 years | Measures autism symptom severity |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| General Positive Affect Scale | Annually up to 3 years | Parent questionnaire |
| Questionnaire on Resources and Stress | Annually up to 3 years | Parent questionnaire |
| Hospital anxiety and Depression scale | Annually up to 3 years | Parent questionnaire |
| Positive Gain Scale | Annually up to 3 years | Parent questionnaire |
| Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales II (VABS) | Annually up to 3 years | Parent interview; adaptive behavior |
| Snijders-Oomen nicht-verbaler Intelligenztest 2 1/2 - 7 (SON-R) | Annually up to 3 years | IQ measure |
| Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence-III (WPPSI-III) | Annually if child is testable up to 3 years | IQ measure |
| Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire | Annually up to 3 years | Parent questionnaire to assess siblings' behavior and potential secondary effects of the intensive Intervention delivered |
Countries
Switzerland
Contacts
Primary ContactRonnie Gundelfinger, Dr. med.
Backup ContactNadja L Studer, lic. phil.
Outcome results
None listed