Longitudinal changes in children with autism spectrum disorder receiving applied behavior analysis or early start denver model interventions over six months

BackgroundAutism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by social communication difficulties, restricted interests, repetitive behaviors, and sensory abnormalities. The rising prevalence of ASD presents a significant public health concern, with no pharmacologi...

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Main Authors: Yusang Du, Xiaozhen Yang, MengMeng Wang, QianQian Lv, Hui Zhou, Gao Sang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-05-01
Series:Frontiers in Pediatrics
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fped.2025.1546001/full
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author Yusang Du
Xiaozhen Yang
MengMeng Wang
QianQian Lv
Hui Zhou
Hui Zhou
Gao Sang
author_facet Yusang Du
Xiaozhen Yang
MengMeng Wang
QianQian Lv
Hui Zhou
Hui Zhou
Gao Sang
author_sort Yusang Du
collection DOAJ
description BackgroundAutism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by social communication difficulties, restricted interests, repetitive behaviors, and sensory abnormalities. The rising prevalence of ASD presents a significant public health concern, with no pharmacological treatments available for its core symptoms. Therefore, early and effective behavioral interventions are crucial to improving developmental outcomes for children with ASD. Current interventions primarily focus on educational rehabilitation methods, including Applied behavior Analysis (ABA) and the Early Start Denver Model (ESDM).ObjectiveThis study aims to examine the developmental changes in children with ASD following six months of ABA therapy or ESDM intervention.MethodsFrom December 2021 to December 2023, 30 children receiving ABA therapy at the Zhejiang Rehabilitation Medical Center (40 min/session, 4 sessions/day, 5 days/week), while another 30 children undergoing ESDM training at Hangzhou Children's Hospital (2 h of one-on-one sessions and 0.5 h of group sessions/day, 5 days/week). Both groups participated in their respective interventions for six months. Pre- and post-treatment assessments were conducted using the Psycho-educational Profile-Third Edition (PEP-3).ResultsBoth groups showed significant improvements in PEP-3 scores post-treatment, including cognitive verbal/pre-verbal, expressive language, receptive language, social reciprocity, small muscles, imitation, emotional expression, and verbal and nonverbal behavioral characteristics.ConclusionBoth ABA and ESDM interventions were associated with comprehensive improvements in children with ASD over a six-month period.
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spelling doaj-art-849b9cd2d30f4e4eb13853c50ffb1c322025-08-20T03:49:33ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Pediatrics2296-23602025-05-011310.3389/fped.2025.15460011546001Longitudinal changes in children with autism spectrum disorder receiving applied behavior analysis or early start denver model interventions over six monthsYusang Du0Xiaozhen Yang1MengMeng Wang2QianQian Lv3Hui Zhou4Hui Zhou5Gao Sang6Department of Psychology and Behavioral Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, ChinaDepartment of Pediatrics, Liaocheng Second People’s Hospital, Liaocheng, Shandong, ChinaDepartment of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Hangzhou Children’s Hospital, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, ChinaDepartment of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Hangzhou Children’s Hospital, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, ChinaDepartment of Psychology and Behavioral Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, ChinaThe State Key Lab of Brain-Machine Intelligence, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, ChinaDepartment of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Hangzhou Children’s Hospital, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, ChinaBackgroundAutism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by social communication difficulties, restricted interests, repetitive behaviors, and sensory abnormalities. The rising prevalence of ASD presents a significant public health concern, with no pharmacological treatments available for its core symptoms. Therefore, early and effective behavioral interventions are crucial to improving developmental outcomes for children with ASD. Current interventions primarily focus on educational rehabilitation methods, including Applied behavior Analysis (ABA) and the Early Start Denver Model (ESDM).ObjectiveThis study aims to examine the developmental changes in children with ASD following six months of ABA therapy or ESDM intervention.MethodsFrom December 2021 to December 2023, 30 children receiving ABA therapy at the Zhejiang Rehabilitation Medical Center (40 min/session, 4 sessions/day, 5 days/week), while another 30 children undergoing ESDM training at Hangzhou Children's Hospital (2 h of one-on-one sessions and 0.5 h of group sessions/day, 5 days/week). Both groups participated in their respective interventions for six months. Pre- and post-treatment assessments were conducted using the Psycho-educational Profile-Third Edition (PEP-3).ResultsBoth groups showed significant improvements in PEP-3 scores post-treatment, including cognitive verbal/pre-verbal, expressive language, receptive language, social reciprocity, small muscles, imitation, emotional expression, and verbal and nonverbal behavioral characteristics.ConclusionBoth ABA and ESDM interventions were associated with comprehensive improvements in children with ASD over a six-month period.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fped.2025.1546001/fullautism spectrum disorderintervention trainingApplied Behavior Analysis Therapyearly start denver modelrehabilitation autism spectrum disorderrehabilitation
spellingShingle Yusang Du
Xiaozhen Yang
MengMeng Wang
QianQian Lv
Hui Zhou
Hui Zhou
Gao Sang
Longitudinal changes in children with autism spectrum disorder receiving applied behavior analysis or early start denver model interventions over six months
Frontiers in Pediatrics
autism spectrum disorder
intervention training
Applied Behavior Analysis Therapy
early start denver model
rehabilitation autism spectrum disorder
rehabilitation
title Longitudinal changes in children with autism spectrum disorder receiving applied behavior analysis or early start denver model interventions over six months
title_full Longitudinal changes in children with autism spectrum disorder receiving applied behavior analysis or early start denver model interventions over six months
title_fullStr Longitudinal changes in children with autism spectrum disorder receiving applied behavior analysis or early start denver model interventions over six months
title_full_unstemmed Longitudinal changes in children with autism spectrum disorder receiving applied behavior analysis or early start denver model interventions over six months
title_short Longitudinal changes in children with autism spectrum disorder receiving applied behavior analysis or early start denver model interventions over six months
title_sort longitudinal changes in children with autism spectrum disorder receiving applied behavior analysis or early start denver model interventions over six months
topic autism spectrum disorder
intervention training
Applied Behavior Analysis Therapy
early start denver model
rehabilitation autism spectrum disorder
rehabilitation
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fped.2025.1546001/full
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