Efficacy of Applied Behavioral Intervention in Preschool Children With Autism for Improving Cognitive, Language, and Adaptive Behavior: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Journal of Pediatrics
Spreckley, M., & Boyd, R. (2009).
Journal of Pediatrics, 154(3), 338-344.
This systematic review and meta-analysis investigates the effects of applied behavior intervention (ABI) programs (e.g., direct behavior management for the child, parent education and training, consultation with caregivers) on cognition, language, and adaptive behavior in preschool children, 8-months and 6-years-old, on the autism spectrum.
National Health and Medical Research (Australia); Smart State Fellowship, Department of Innovation, Queensland (Australia)
From 1982 to November 2007
Systematic reviews; randomized controlled trials; quasi-randomized controlled trials
13 studies; only 4 studies exhibited adequate internal validity to be included in the meta-analysis
"Four randomized or quasi-randomized clinical trials met inclusion criteria and had primary outcomes analyzed. The meta-analyses of these studies showed that [applied behavioral intervention] ABI did not result in significant improvement in cognitive, language, or adaptive behavioral outcomes compared with standard care.... Current evidence does not support ABI as a superior intervention" (pp. 341-342) for preschool children on the autism spectrum.
