Intensive behavioral treatment for children with autism: Four-year outcome and predictors

Twenty-four children with autism were randomly assigned to a clinic-directed group, rep-licating the parameters of the early intensive behavioral treatment developed at UCLA, or to a parent-directed group that received intensive hours but less supervision by equally well-trained supervisors. Outcome after 4 years of treatment, including cognitive, language, adaptive, social, and academic measures, was similar for both groups. After combining groups, we found that 48 % of all children showed rapid learning, achieved average post-treatment scores, and at age 7, were succeeding in regular education classrooms. Treatment outcome was best predicted by pretreatment imitation, language, and social responsiveness. These results are consistent with those reported by Lovaas and colleagues (Lovaas, 1987; McEachin, Smith, & Lovaas, 1993). Behavioral approaches for addressing the de-lays and deficits common in autism have been recognized by many as the most effective treat-ment methods to date (Green, 1996; Maine Ad