Long-Term Effect of a Neurological Rehabilitation Program in Children with Autism
Keywords:
autism spectrum disorder, follow-up studies, rehabilitationAbstract
Introduction: Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder of increasing prevalence that responds best to multidisciplinary interventions, although these are scarce. A rehabilitation program of this type, implemented in 2019, was evaluated with positive initial results, but it is unknown its long-term impact on severity, functionality, and adaptive behavior.
Objective: To evaluate the effect of a multidisciplinary rehabilitation program, three years after its implementation, on autism severity using the Childhood Autism Rating Scale, functionality using the Autism Spectrum Inventory, and adaptive behavior using the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scale in children with primary autism.
Methods: A prospective, non-experimental cohort study with descriptive and inferential analysis was conducted with 19 children from the original study, who were re-evaluated three years later using the same scales.
Results: Males predominated (68%), as did the 3- to 5-year-old age group (42%). The majority continued treatment with carbamazepine (68.2%), and moderate autism was the most frequent category (42%). No improvements in autism severity were recorded (Children's Autism Rating Scale). The Autism Spectrum Inventory showed a worsening in language/communication, while the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scale revealed significant impairments in communication, activities of daily living, and social skills, with no improvements in any area.
Conclusions: The program largely maintained the effects of the initial intervention, with few significant changes and, in some cases, negative ones, thus requiring adjustments for its sustainability.
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