ABA provides key to significant IQ increases in children with autism

NEWS

 April 2007 Intensive intervention based on Appied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) given to young children can significantly raise IQ levels, potentially allowing them to benefit from mainstream education, new research has revealed (B. Remington et al. , Intellectual and Development Disabilities 2007 in press). The results of a two-year study into the impact of Early Intensive Behavioural Intervention were announced today by Geoffrey Maddrell, chairman of the charity Research Autism , the UK’s independent expert body into autistic therapies (interventions). Geoffrey Maddrell, Research Autism’s chairman, said: “In the past, finding information about the range of interventions available was often a matter of chance and sometimes rumour. Speculation about some untested interventions abounds, which leads to sometimes dangerous ‘cures’ being touted as effective, often to quite desperate audiences.Said Mr Maddrell: “We can no longer leave those on the autistic spectrum and their families to muddle through, in huge distress; we can no longer leave a huge number of adults to lead solitary lives of isolation and exclusion; we can no longer leave the statutory authorities not knowing in many instances where to turn and where to direct resources. In this relatively early stage in the story of autism, certainly compared with other health issues, we must now marshal the resources for breakthrough research.” A team from the University of Southampton undertook the research, funded by several UK charities including Research Autism, The Health Foundation and The Esmée Fairbairn Foundation For further details: Research in Austim Summary of the report given here