Presented by: Nancy Freeman, Ph.D.; Adrienne Perry, Ph.D., C. Psych, BCBA
Date: Friday, October 26, 2012
Time: 1:30pm – 3:00pm
Session: Session #21
Learning Objectives
- Describe a program of research over the past 6 years examining the community-based effectiveness of Intensive Behavioural Intervention (IBI) in Ontario
- Information will be provided on the initial effectiveness study (Freeman & Perry, 2005,
- 2010), as well as the larger Provincial study (Perry et al., 2008)
- Examine specific developmental trajectories of children during IBI, using ABLLS data collected at multiple points during intervention
This presentation describes a program of research over the past 6 years examining the community-based effectiveness of Intensive Behavioural Intervention (IBI) in Ontario and, in particular, in the Toronto Partnership for Autism Services (TPAS). The initial effectiveness study (Freeman & Perry, 2005, 2010), as well as the larger Provincial study (Perry et al., 2008) indicated that many children made progress but that outcomes were quite variable. Predictors of outcome examined in these datasets included child’s age, IQ, adaptive level, and autism severity (Perry et al., 2011).
Subsequent and current research has systematically addressed the methodological limitations and unanswered questions from the original effectiveness studies. Measures of important constructs have been developed and validated (quality of treatment and parent involvement).
In particular, we have examined specific developmental trajectories of children during IBI, using ABLLS data collected at multiple points during intervention (Sullivan, Perry, Freeman, & Bebko, 2007). Children have been followed up after they have been discharged from IBI (from 1 to 5 years) to see whether gains are maintained (Prichard & Perry, in preparation). A waitlist controlled study involving matched pairs of children has also been conducted (Flanagan, Perry, & Freeman, 2011).
We have recently completed the Over 6 Study, a retrospective file review replicating the original 2008 effectiveness study, but with older children (Blacklock, Perry, et al., in preparation). Finally, our Prospective study (Dunn Geier, Freeman, Perry, Barrowman, & Gaines, in progress) includes children assessed at entry and after 12 months of either IBI or waitlist. Standardized measures, as well as quality of IBI (Perry, Flanagan, & Prichard, 2008) and parent involvement (Solish & Perry, 2008) are being measured to explore heterogeneity of outcomes more fully by examining the proportional contribution of child factors, family factors, and treatment factors.