Retrospective Analysis of Clinical Records in 34 Cases of Recovery from Autism

Background: 20 years of research on early intensive applied behavior analytic (ABA) treatment for children with autism has consistently produced robust treatment effects. However, there appears to be a subset of children who respond best to intensive ABA treatments, including achieving a level of functioning that is indistinguishable from typically developing peers.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to describe a subset of children who recovered from autism following intensive ABA interventions.

Methods: We reviewed the clinical files of 34 children with autism who achieved an optimal outcome after receiving intensive ABA services. The data were analyzed in regards to the age at onset of treatment, cognitive and adaptive abilities, average intensity of treatment, and overall duration of intensive ABA treatment.

Results: Overall, children who recovered from autism began services prior to 40 months of age. Average treatment intensity gradually decreased from 32 hours per week in the first year to 18 hours per week in year three. The average duration of intensive services was 39 months. Average IQ was 80 at intake and 107 at discharge. Average adaptive skills were 70 at intake and 93 at discharge. Subscales of IQ and adaptive behavior assessments demonstrated similar patterns and are discussed in greater detail.

Conclusions: Our review corroborates the finding that some portion of children with autism who receive early intensive behavioral intervention achieve functioning in the average range. Children who demonstrate optimal response to early intensive behavioral intervention may constitute a unique phenotype of autism. Finally, it should be noted that most children with autism receive one or more biomedical interventions for autism. Future analyses should be conducted regarding complementary and alternative medical treatments for autism, particularly in regard to identifying those individuals who respond to particular biomedical interventions, both in isolation and when combined with behavioral intervention.