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PRESENT STUDY: The present study researches the effect of early intervention on the progress of the autistic child with mental retardation. The investigator considered three major areas, which were generally used in the progress of the autistic child. They are as follows: 1. treatments, 2. standardized therapies,and 3. innovative therapies. The present study is an attempt to improve the living conditions of autistic children through dietary interventions and therapies, both standardized and innovative.
OBJECTIVES OF THE PRESENT STUDY: 1. To find out the effect of different types of standardized therapies, like physical, occupational, social, speech, behavioral, vision and cognitive therapies, and to know which is most effective among these therapies; 2. To find out the effects of different types of innovative therapies, like music, art, dance, yoga, Floortime, touch, animal, recreational, massage and swimming therapies, and to know which is most effective among these therapies; 3. To find out the effects of different types of treatments, like mercury chelation, diet and special diet, and to know which is most effective among these treatments; 4. To find out the effects of seven skills, like social, communication, eye contact, self-help, motor, cognitive and emotional, and to know which skill improved effectively when different types of standardized therapies, innovative therapies and treatments are administered; 5. To compare standardized therapies, innovative therapies and treatments, and to know which is best among these three types of interventions.
METHOD OF STUDY: In the present study, the survey method was used to know the parental opinion on standardized therapies, innovative therapies and treatments, and when they are administered. Parental responses were collected through the questionnaire.
SAMPLE: The sample selected by the investigator consisted of four special schools. Scoring was according to a four-point scale. Parents gave scores depending on the improvement shown by their children in the seven skill areas: social, communication, eye contact, self-help, motor, cognitive and emotional.
COMPARISON BETWEEN DIFFERENT TYPES OF STANDARDIZED THERAPIES: When different types of standardized therapies were compared with the arithmetic mean, it was found that occupational therapy and speech therapy were found to be more effective compared to other types of therapies. There was improvement in social skill and self-help skill when standardized therapies were administered.
COMPARISON BETWEEN DIFFERENT TYPES OF INNOVATIVE THERAPIES: When different type of innovative therapies were compared with the arithmetic mean, it was found that touch therapy and art therapy were found to be more effective compared to other type of therapies. There was improvement in motor skill and emotional skill when innovative therapies were administered.
COMPARISON BETWEEN DIFFERENT TYPES OF TREATMENTS: When different types treatments were compared with the arithmetic mean, it was found that diet and special diet treatment were found to be more effective than other types of therapies. There was improvement in social skill and eye contact when treatments were administered.
COMPARISON BETWEEN STANDARDIZED THERAPIES AND INNOVATIVE THERAPIES: When a t-test was applied to compare standardized therapies with innovative therapies, it was found that standardized therapies were found to be more effective, with the mean value of 58.8235, than innovative therapies, with a mean value of 56.5588.
COMPARISON BETWEEN INNOVATIVE THERAPIES AND TREATMENTS: When a t-test was applied to compare innovative therapies and treatments, it was found that treatments were found to be more effective, with a mean value of 58.4853, than innovative therapies with a mean value of 56.5588.
COMPARISON BETWEEN STANDARDIZED THERAPIES AND TREATMENTS: When a t-test was applied to compare standardized therapies and treatments, it was found that standardized therapies had a mean value of 58.4835 and treatments had a mean value of 58.8235. So, there is no significant difference between standardized therapies and treatments; both were found to be equally effective.
ANALYSIS OF INTERVIEW WITH THE PARENTS:
1. Parents had very positive opinions on different types of therapies and treatments. They felt that different types of therapies were more effective in the improvement of the seven skills, which would lead to an independent life for the autistic child.
2. According to parents, standardized therapies like occupational and social skill were more effective. These therapies helped their children to master self-care skills, such as feeding, dressing and grooming, and helped in developing social relationships with peers.
3. Parents felt that their children were interested in innovative therapies like music, dance, swimming, recreational, pet, etc.These therapies helped them in relaxing their mind and body.
4. Most of the parents felt that dietary treatments had helped in reducing problem behaviors and improved the social contact of their children.
MAJOR FINDINGS OF THE STUDY:
1. Occupational and speech therapy were found to be most effective among different types of standardized therapies.
2. Touch therapy and art therapy were found to be most effective among different types of innovative therapies.
3. Diet and special diet treatments were found to be most effective among different types of treatments.
4. Social skill and self-help skill were found to be most effective compared to other types of skills when different types of standardized therapies were administered.
5. Motor skill and emotional skill were found to be most effective compared to other types of skills when different types of innovative therapies were administered.
6. Social skill and eye contact were found to be most effective compared to other types of skills when different types of treatments were administered.
7. When standardized therapies and innovative therapies were compared, standardized therapies were found to be more effective.
8. When innovative therapies and treatments were compared, treatments were found to be more effective.
9. When standardized therapies and treatments were compared, both were found to be equally effective.
CONCLUSION: Autism is a lifelong developmental disorder that typically occurs in the first three years of life. Children affected with autism have disturbances in three main areas: social skills, communication and eye contact. There are many possible causes of autism, some environmental and some genetic. Since a definite cause is yet to be known, it cannot be cured completely. An attempt was made in the present study to know the effectiveness of different types of therapies and treatments. Parental opinion was collected from the children affected with autism. Findings indicated that most of the parents had positive views on standardized therapies, innovative therapies and treatments. Modification in behavior is possible through early intervention with therapies and treatment.
SUGGESTIONS FOR FUTURE RESEARCH:
1. Future research should be taken up to study environmental factors, which are worsening the condition of the autistic child.
2. Research should be taken up to develop new types of therapies and treatments to improve the condition of the autistic child.
3. Research should be taken to find the genetic factors responsible for autism.