Strategies for Creating an Early Intervention, Parent Support Organization (Chapter 36) p. 346

Ronald Huff

The Good News

More than ever before, parents of young children diagnosed with autism can feel optimistic about obtaining an early intervention program for their children. A growing body of research shows that behaviorally based early intervention offers significant benefits to young children with autism (Birnbrauer & Leach, 1993; Fenske, Zalenski, Krantz, & McClannahan. , 1985; Harris, Handleman, Gordon, Kristoff, & Fuentes, 1991; Lord, Bristol, & Schopler,, 1993; Lovaas 1987; Lovaas & Smith, 1988, McEachin, Smith, & Lovaas, 1993; Perry, Cohen, & DeCarlo, 1995; Sheinkopf & Siegel, 1998; Simeonson, Olley, & Rosenthal, 1987; Strain, Jamieson, & Hoyson, 1986).

p. 338: Do not expect the student to make optimal progress with less than 40 hours of one-on-one treatment per week.

Introduction xxiii

In the initial weeks of treatment, it is also helpful to begin with 20 hours of one-on-one treatment, and gradually increase to 40 hours after the first month. If the student is younger than 30 months old, the teacher should go slower and increase hours over several months of treatment (see Appendix A). With younger students, longer durations and more frequent intervals of play should be intermixed among the programs.