Summary of Findings from
Educating Children with Autism*

This is a summary of the findings of the Committee on Educational Interventions for Children with Autism, which was formed by the National Research Council in the United States. The committee’s task was to investigate the evidence base for educational interventions and early identification, and to recommend appropriate public policy based on their conclusions. They did this by first carrying out thorough literatures searches, by establishing criteria for assessing the reports, and by applying the criteria to determine the quality of the evidence supporting interventions for the social and learning deficits of children with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). They focused on the 0-8 age group. Follow the links to see the conclusions they reached and what recommendations they made when they considered diagnosis and interventions. You can read the full text of their report at http://www.nap.edu.

The Interventions:

• Development of Communication

• Social development

• Cognitive development

• Sensory and motor development

• Teaching adaptive behaviours

• Problem behaviours

Comprehensive Programs

Characteristics of Effective Interventions

Diagnosis

*National Research Council (2001) Educating Children with Autism.

Committee on Educational Interventions for Children with Autism

Catherine Lord and James P. McGee, editors.

Division of Behavioral and Social Sciences and Education.

Washington, D.C.: National Academy Press.