Brain Activity Changes in Toddlers with Autism Following Behavioral Intervention

This study supports the notion that environment matters for young children with autistic spectrum disorders.

The Early Start Denver Model (ESDM) is a comprehensive developmental behavioral intervention for improving outcomes of toddlers with autistic spectrum disorder (ASD). In the first randomized, controlled trial to demonstrate the effectiveness of a behavioral intervention in toddlers with ASD, children with ASD treated with the ESDM for 2 years had significant improvements in IQ, language, adaptive behavior, and autism diagnosis compared with children who received standard community interventions (Pediatrics 2010; 124:e17).

Researchers extended the study by measuring electroencephalogram (EEG) activity in response to social and nonsocial stimuli in the 48 toddlers (age range, 48–77 months) after the 2 year study. EEG activity assessed event-re…

Reviewing Author

Martin T. Stein, MD

Disclosures

Consultant / Advisory boardPearson Neuroscience Advisory Board

Speaker’s bureauAmerican Academy of Pediatrics

RoyaltiesElsevier, Inc.

Editorial boardsJournal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics

Martin T. Stein, MD

Disclosures

Consultant / Advisory boardPearson Neuroscience Advisory Board

Speaker’s bureauAmerican Academy of Pediatrics

RoyaltiesElsevier, Inc.

Editorial boardsJournal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics