DOI: 10.36347/sasjm.2016.v02i05.001

Pages: Page: 99-102

The number of children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs) has risen over the past decade. Different responsiveness to intervention programs suggests that improvement with timed treatment approach for all children with autism. The aim of study is to evaluate the effectiveness in practice of early intensive behavioral intervention employed in treatment of patients with ASD. A prospective multicenter cohort study was conducted in mental health centers scattered in Qatar State (July 2012 – July 2016). It included all children with ASD from both gender. Assessment consisted of a standardized interview; Autism Diagnostic Interview – Revised (ADI–R); Autism Diagnostic Observation (ADOS). Reliable change (the extent to which statistical factors can be ruled out as an explanation for apparent change) and clinically significant change (the extent to which change is also clinically meaningful). A 3-year prospective outcome was based on parent, self, and peer report of targeted symptoms confirmed with direct observation at the clinic. The collected data was spread on master sheet, entered computer and managed statistically using SPSS computer program version 21. A 140 cases with ASD were identified during the study period ((80.7%) males, and (19.3%) females). Their mean age was 7.3 years. The mean age of recognition of the symptoms by parents was 3.8 years. Sixty-seven percent demonstrated a reliable change to clinically significant change. Better outcome related to the child age (P=0.000). But not affected by gender (p=0.8). Treatment outcome was best predicted by age at presentation and early intervention