Phoenix, Arizona – The Center for Autism and Related Disorders, Inc. (CARD) is currently evaluating the efficacy of a comprehensive, Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) treatment program for 16 Arizona children with autism. All of the children began receiving services between the ages of 2 and 5 years old. The state of Arizona is funding the two year $3.6 million study.
Amy Kenzer, PhD, BCBA, CARD’s manager of Research and Development spearheaded the study. She says, “At this point, all of the children in the Arizona grant have received services for approximately a year and a half. Following one year of treatment, several children showed significant improvements as measured by standardized assessments and parent report, including two children who gained 50 IQ points.” Dr. Kenzer notes, “Many of the children also started full day Kindergarten this fall and are doing very well in their new classrooms.”
In accordance with previous research, CARD found that many of the children made substantial gains in cognitive and adaptive functioning as well as language skills. While dramatic improvements are evident for approximately half of the participants, with some children gaining between 30 and 50 IQ points, the overall group gains were relatively modest. Dr. Kenzer says treatment duration is a critical variable in the efficacy of behavioral therapy and optimal gains are more likely following a minimum of two years of treatment. As such, the children’s progress will continue to be monitored by CARD as their treatment continues.
Kenzer will present the complete outcome report on February 14, 2009 at the Autism/Asperger’
Autism is a pervasive developmental disorder that is marked by the presence of impaired social interaction and communication and a restricted repertoire of activities and interests. The prevalence of autism has been estimated to affect as many as 1 in 150 children and is four times more common in boys than in girls.
About Amy Kenzer, PhD, BCBA:
Dr. Amy Kenzer, Research and Development Manager at the Center for Autism and Related Disorders, has over 10 years of experience in the field of Behavior Analysis and Autism.
Dr. Kenzer earned her Ph.D. from the University of Nevada, Reno and is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst. Her research interests include outcome-level analyses of ABA-based interventions, component analysis of ABA-based teaching techniques, fluency instruction, and basic learning processes in children with autism.
About the Center for Autism and Related Disorders, Inc. (CARD):
The Center for Autism and Related Disorders, Inc. is among the world's largest and most experienced organizations effectively treating children with autism and related disorders. CARD operates 20 satellite offices throughout the United States and abroad. CARD has treated thousands of children around the world. Its services include assessments, supervision, parent/teacher training and one-to-one therapy.
CARD develops individualized treatment plans, based on the principles of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), a treatment for autism that has been thoroughly researched and empirically validated by the scientific community. CARD was founded by Executive Director Doreen Granpeesheh, PhD, BCBA.
About Autism Conferences of America:
Autism Conferences of America consists of a team of parents and professionals who are dedicated to organizing high-quality, practical conferences across the country, in collaboration with local and national autism groups.
The goal of Autism Conferences of America is to improve the quality of life for people on the spectrum by providing education and awareness of autism, and practical suggestions on therapy, treatment, and life skills. The team is led by James Adams, PhD, who is a professor and autism researcher at Arizona State University, president of the Greater Phoenix Chapter of the Autism Society of America, serves on the Board of Directors of the Autism Research Institute and the executive committee of Defeat Autism Now!, and is the parent of a teenage girl with autism.
Contact Information:
Daphne Plump
CARD, Inc.
818-345-2345 x 270
d.plump@centerforautism.com
