Study Targets Autistic Children Who Are Socially Active

by KYW medical editor Dr. Brian McDonough

It's been thought for quite some time that if children with autism are put in a situation where they have more social interaction and more attention paid to them, they tend to do better.

Well according to a report in the journal Pediatrics, a major study involving 48 toddlers, found this to be so.

The report looked at an intensive program, heavily focused on increasing social interaction and it found that it boosted their mental abilities and improved what was called their diagnostic status. What does that mean? Well they had greater behavioral gains.  They interacted far better. 

The bottom line here is it clearly shows that if a child has a diagnosis of autism, one of the best approaches is to try to get them more involved, in a controlled fashion, but to help and guide them to interact with others. 

Read Dr. Brian McDonough's Medical Reports