An early intervention therapy for children with autism has been shown in a study to show unprecedented benefits in the brains of young children who have an autism spectrum disorder.

The study found the therapy, called the Early Start Denver Model (ESDM), not only boosted the cognition, language and social skills among very young children with autism but the researchers say it's the first study to show the intervention also "normalized" their brain activity.

"This may be the first demonstration that a behavioral intervention for autism is associated with changes in brain function as well as positive changes in behavior," Dr. Tom Insel, director of the National Institute of Mental Health, said in a press release.

About one in 88 children have an autism spectrum disorder, according to federal estimates. The disorders begin before age 3 and are characterized by persistent deficits in everyday social, communication and behavioral functioning.

With autism rates on rise, can early detection be stepped up? Here are 10 signs parents should check for in their infants

Some children may show hints of future problems within the first few months of life, while others may seem to develop normally until around 18 to 24 months of age and then stop gaining new skills or lose the skills they once had. Others may not show symptoms at all until 24 months of age.

The study was led by Dr. Geraldine Dawson, a professor of psychiatry at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and Chief Science Officer of the advocacy organization, Autism Speaks. Researchers recruited a 48-participant study pool with children diagnosed with autism and typically-developing children who were between 18 and 30-months of age. There were three times more boys in the study; autism is almost five times more common among boys than girls.

About half the kids were assigned to receive ESDM for a two-year period while the other half were assigned to various community-based interventions in addition to other referrals, evaluations and reading materials. ESDM applies techniques of Applied Behavioral Analysis and other play-based, relationship-based teaching methods in 20 hours of weekly sessions.

After two years of interventions, the researchers measured the children's brain activity with EEG scans while they viewed pictures of faces -- to represent social cues -- and toys, to represent non-social cues. Earlier research shows children with autism have more brain activity viewing non-social cues, than faces -- the opposite effect of typically-developing children.

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Autism intervention "normalizes" kids' brain function in study

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An early intervention therapy for children with autism has been shown in a study to show unprecedented benefits in the brains of young children who have an autism spectrum disorder.

The study found the therapy, called the Early Start Denver Model (ESDM), not only boosted the cognition, language and social skills among very young children with autism but the researchers say it's the first study to show the intervention also "normalized" their brain activity.

"This may be the first demonstration that a behavioral intervention for autism is associated with changes in brain function as well as positive changes in behavior," Dr. Tom Insel, director of the National Institute of Mental Health, said in a press release.

About one in 88 children have an autism spectrum disorder, according to federal estimates. The disorders begin before age 3 and are characterized by persistent deficits in everyday social, communication and behavioral functioning.

With autism rates on rise, can early detection be stepped up? Here are 10 signs parents should check for in their infants

Some children may show hints of future problems within the first few months of life, while others may seem to develop normally until around 18 to 24 months of age and then stop gaining new skills or lose the skills they once had. Others may not show symptoms at all until 24 months of age.

The study was led by Dr. Geraldine Dawson, a professor of psychiatry at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and Chief Science Officer of the advocacy organization, Autism Speaks. Researchers recruited a 48-participant study pool with children diagnosed with autism and typically-developing children who were between 18 and 30-months of age. There were three times more boys in the study; autism is almost five times more common among boys than girls.

About half the kids were assigned to receive ESDM for a two-year period while the other half were assigned to various community-based interventions in addition to other referrals, evaluations and reading materials. ESDM applies techniques of Applied Behavioral Analysis and other play-based, relationship-based teaching methods in 20 hours of weekly sessions.

After two years of interventions, the researchers measured the children's brain activity with EEG scans while they viewed pictures of faces -- to represent social cues -- and toys, to represent non-social cues. Earlier research shows children with autism have more brain activity viewing non-social cues, than faces -- the opposite effect of typically-developing children.

Play Video

See the original post:
Autism intervention "normalizes" kids' brain function in study

Recommendation and review posted by Fredricko

An intervention program called "Early Start Denver Model" emphasizes play therapy for very young children with autism.

STORY HIGHLIGHTS

(CNN) -- As the number of children with autism has risen dramatically over the past couple of decades, experts have learned that the earlier a child gets diagnosed, the earlier specialized therapy can be initiated, which can significantly improve outcomes.

Now researchers have been able to show that a particular type of behavioral therapy called the Early Start Denver Model (ESDM) not only improves autism symptoms, but actually normalizes brain activity and improves social behavior.

Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder that starts to become very apparent around age 3. The main signs and symptoms of autism involve communication, social interactions and repetitive behaviors. According to the latest statistics from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one in 88 children currently is diagnosed with autism, including one in 54 boys.

"Early intervention alters the trajectory of the brain and social development in children with autism," says Geraldine Dawson, the lead study author who developed the ESDM therapy along with study co-author Sally Rogers.

Twins Jacob and Lucas Campbell hooked up to EEGs.

Dawson was a researcher at the University of Washington when she helped devise ESDM; she's now the chief science officer for the advocacy and research group Autism Speaks and a professor at the University of North Carolina. Rogers is a professor and researcher at the University of California Davis MIND Institute.

ESDM therapy uses teaching methods from ABA ,or applied behavioral analysis, the traditional one-on-one interaction between a child and the therapist.

But rather than sitting at a desk next to the child -- where a teacher or therapist breaks down complex tasks into small components and gives tangible reinforcements -- children receiving ESDM are sitting on the floor, playing with their therapist or parents.

Originally posted here:
Changing brains of kids with autism

Recommendation and review posted by Fredricko

An intervention program called "Early Start Denver Model" emphasizes play therapy for very young children with autism.

STORY HIGHLIGHTS

(CNN) -- As the number of children with autism has risen dramatically over the past couple of decades, experts have learned that the earlier a child gets diagnosed, the earlier specialized therapy can be initiated, which can significantly improve outcomes.

Now researchers have been able to show that a particular type of behavioral therapy called the Early Start Denver Model (ESDM) not only improves autism symptoms, but actually normalizes brain activity and improves social behavior.

Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder that starts to become very apparent around age 3. The main signs and symptoms of autism involve communication, social interactions and repetitive behaviors. According to the latest statistics from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one in 88 children currently is diagnosed with autism, including one in 54 boys.

"Early intervention alters the trajectory of the brain and social development in children with autism," says Geraldine Dawson, the lead study author who developed the ESDM therapy along with study co-author Sally Rogers.

Twins Jacob and Lucas Campbell hooked up to EEGs.

Dawson was a researcher at the University of Washington when she helped devise ESDM; she's now the chief science officer for the advocacy and research group Autism Speaks and a professor at the University of North Carolina. Rogers is a professor and researcher at the University of California Davis MIND Institute.

ESDM therapy uses teaching methods from ABA ,or applied behavioral analysis, the traditional one-on-one interaction between a child and the therapist.

But rather than sitting at a desk next to the child -- where a teacher or therapist breaks down complex tasks into small components and gives tangible reinforcements -- children receiving ESDM are sitting on the floor, playing with their therapist or parents.

The rest is here:
Early therapy can change brains of kids with autism

Recommendation and review posted by Fredricko