ERIC Number: EJ1364992
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2023-Feb
Pages: 21
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1362-3613
EISSN: EISSN-1461-7005
Available Date: N/A
Non-Pharmacological Interventions for Autistic Children: An Umbrella Review
Trembath, David; Varcin, Kandice; Waddington, Hannah; Sulek, Rhylee; Bent, Cathy; Ashburner, Jill; Eapen, Valsamma; Goodall, Emma; Hudry, Kristelle; Roberts, Jacqueline; Silove, Natalie; Whitehouse, Andrew
Autism: The International Journal of Research and Practice, v27 n2 p275-295 Feb 2023
The breadth of available non-pharmacological interventions for autistic children, with varying evidence for efficacy summarised in multiple systematic reviews, creates challenges for parents, practitioners, and policymakers in navigating the research evidence. In this article, we report the findings of an umbrella review of 58 systematic reviews of non-pharmacological interventions for autistic children (aged 0-12 years). Positive therapeutic effects were identified for "Behavioural interventions," "Developmental interventions," "Naturalistic Developmental Behavioural Interventions," "Technology-based interventions," and "Cognitive Behaviour Therapy" across several child and family outcomes. Positive effects for certain practices within "Sensory-based interventions" and 'other' interventions were limited to select child and family outcomes. Both inconsistent and null intervention effects were found for "Treatment and Education of Autistic and related Communication-handicapped Children," and "Animal-assisted interventions" across outcomes. The possible influence of child (chronological age, core autism characteristics, and related skills) and delivery (agent, mode, format, and amount) characteristics on intervention effects was rarely examined, and inconsistent where reported. Twenty-seven systematic reviews (47%) were rated as 'high' quality. Few systematic reviews examined children's participation and quality of life or adverse effects. The findings highlight the need for individualised evidence-based decision-making when selecting interventions for autistic children.
Descriptors: Autism Spectrum Disorders, Outcomes of Treatment, Children, Behavior Modification, Cognitive Restructuring, Evidence Based Practice, Program Effectiveness, Delivery Systems, Caregivers, Early Intervention, Federal Programs, Social Services
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Information Analyses
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Laws, Policies, & Programs: Early Head Start
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A