Early intervention of Autism Spectrum Disorder: translating research into practice

Abstract

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder, with increasing prevalence globally. Early intervention has been shown to improve the core deficits and result in a favorable outcome in children with ASD. Various interventional methods, novel mechanisms, and approaches are being widely researched. Though accelerating interventional research in ASD is observed globally, evidence from Indian setting is sparse. Given the uniqueness of cultural, socio-economic conditions, population statistics, existing health care and referral system, it is pivotal to develop and test interventional methods that are applicable and acceptable to the indigenous population. This paper reviews the currently available evidence-based treatment modalities in the Indian settings, with a specific focus on the behavioral interventions. Early diagnosis is seldom seen to translate into early intervention. In the background of the existing challenges, strategies to translate research into practice in terms of developing sustainable methods of service delivery, capacity building, training of trainers, need for liaison between experts and role of health care policy makers are discussed. Improving awareness among parents, medical professionals and stakeholders is the first step forward, towards translating research into practice.