Mission Statement: To provide local representation, support, resources, advocacy and to assist high risk families with medically necessary treatment with the autism spectrum disorder throughout the province of Saskatchewan.

Autism Effective Treatment Rationale

 

The following information collected in July 2004 by Lisa Simmermon, Past President of Autism Society Canada and Public Relations Director for SASKFEAT, is a summary of published research information and statements by published researchers regarding the value of effective treatment for Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), and the difference in outcomes between people who have and have not had effective treatment.  References are available upon request.

 

Effective Treatment Provision Outcomes

• significantly enhanced outcomes confirmed by several international scientific review groups

• outcomes include gains in IQ scores, language, autistic symptoms, future school placements, social behavior; positive change in cognitive outcomes; most children showed some progress and positive outcomes; most made significant progress in at least some developmental domains

• only 25% of people with autism will not develop connective speech (this is a 50% improvement from no treatment)

• only 25% or less of people with autism with mental retardation will not be able to improve IQ to typical IQ levels above 70 (this is at least a 66% improvement from no treatment)

• 33% of adults with autism achieve some degree of independent living (this is a 230% improvement from no treatment)

• increase the ability to learn

• developmental gains

• substantial cognitive and language gains

• adaptive and social skills gains

• improvement in areas of functioning such as behavior and reduction in symptoms of autism

• normal intellectual and educational functioning in 47%

• adequate intellectual and educational functioning for school in 75%; this is not necessarily normal functioning

• outcomes significantly enhanced (communication, social skills, play, cognition and independence) and linked with early identification

• significant positive impact on long-term ASD outcomes

• although most effective treatment research has focussed on children up to age 6, new research is indicating tremendous change can occur at elementary school age, between 5 and 10

 

No Effective Treatment Provision Outcomes

• Only 10 - 12% of adults with autism achieve best outcomes (typical living situations<paying job, a few friends, higher degree of independence), but challenges persist despite important gains

• Fewer than 5 percent go on to become self-sufficient adults

• 50% of people with autism will not develop speech

• 75% of people with autism have mental retardation

• more restrictive school placements and lower IQ’s than people with ASD receiving effective treatment

• little or no gains in adaptability

• stereotypic behavior, self-injury behavior, and selective attention toward distracting stimuli (e.g., a ticking clock) markedly interfere with structured learning and working environments

• IQ is generally related to adult prognosis; lower IQ is associated with less positive outcomes, and higher IQ is related to better outcomes

• Most adults with autism have challenges with social communication skills that severely affect their outcomes

 

Saskatchewan families for effective autism treatment inc.

Box 2545, Tisdale, SK. S0E1T0 Phone:(306) 862-4768 Fax:(306) 862-3899

www.saskfeat.com; saskfeat@hotmail.com