Autism researchers at the Telethon Kids Institute have found the first evidence that therapy in infancy can reduce the likelihood of a clinical autism diagnosis in early childhood.
World-first research led by CliniKids at Telethon Kids has found a parenting program for babies showing early signs of autism can reduce the chance of clinical autism diagnosis by two-thirds.
In a study published in JAMA Pediatrics, an international research team led by CliniKids Director Professor Andrew Whitehouse found that a clinician diagnosis of autism at age three was only a third as likely in children who received the iBASIS-VIPP program, compared to those who received treatment as usual.
The findings were the first evidence that a preemptive therapy in infancy could lead to such a significant improvement in children’s social development that they then fell below the threshold for a clinical autism diagnosis.
“Many therapies for autism try to replace developmental differences with more ‘typical’ behaviours,” said Professor Whitehouse, who is the Angela Wright Bennett Professor of Autism Research at Telethon Kids and The University of Western Australia.
“By contrast, this program does not work with the child directly but with the social environment around the child. By doing so, it was able to support social communication skills and behavioural expression to the point that infants were less likely to meet the diagnostic criteria for autism.
Those children falling below the diagnostic threshold still had developmental difficulties, but by working with each child's unique differences, rather than trying to counter them, the program has effectively supported their development through the early childhood years.
Professor Andrew Whitehouse
The four-year randomised clinical trial enrolled babies aged 9–14 months to investigate the impacts of iBASIS-VIPP – a program that uses video feedback to help parents recognise their baby’s communication cues so they can respond in a way that builds their social communication development. All babies had shown early behavioural signs of autism, such as reduced eye contact, imitation, or social smiling.
The study findings attracted international headlines, including the front page of The Telegraph in the United Kingdom, international wire service Reuters, Canadian television, and all major print, online, TV and radio media outlets in Australia – potentially reaching an audience of more than 1.3 billion people.
Professor Whitehouse, whose research has been supported by the Angela Wright Bennett Foundation for many years, said rather than waiting for a diagnosis to start therapy, developmental differences needed to be identified and supported as early as possible. Autism was not typically diagnosed until 2–3 three years of age, he said.
CliniKids team
“At its most basic, this is a change of clinical support from ‘wait and see’ to ‘identify and act’ to support babies showing early developmental difficulties,” Professor Whitehouse said.
“Therapy commencing during the first two years of life, when the first signs of developmental differences are observed and the brain is rapidly developing, may lead to an even greater impact on developmental outcomes in later childhood.
“The findings emphasise the importance of providing supports to children based on functional difficulties, rather than the presence or absence of a diagnosis.
“This is an important step forward in what we hope is an opportunity to develop new clinical models for babies showing early behavioural signs of autism.”
According to Professor Whitehouse, interest in the program has been extremely high since the release of the findings – both from parents wanting to participate in iBASIS-VIPP and clinicians wanting to be trained in its delivery.
Consequently, the CliniKids team is developing a training program for clinicians, expected to be rolled out later this year.
“It’s exciting to think that this program being developed in WA has the potential to support babies and their families worldwide,” Professor Whitehouse said.
