Early Autism Intervention Shown to Improve Cognitive Skills in Children

An autism intervention program that emphasizes social interactions and is designed for children as young as 12 months has been found to improve cognitive skills and brain responses to faces, considered a building block for social skills. Researchers say that the study, which was done at the University of Washington, is the first to demonstrate that an intensive behavioral intervention can change brain function in toddlers with autism spectrum disorders.

“So much of a toddler’s learning involves social interaction, and early intervention that promotes attention to people and social cues may pay dividends in promoting the normal development of the brain and behavior,” says Geraldine Dawson, lead author and chief science officer for the advocacy group Autism Speaks. For more information, click here to read the full release.