Randomized controlled trial for toddlers with autism.
The need for research using randomized groups have been great in the field of autism intervention. And in volume 52:1 of Journal of child psychology and psychiatry Landa, Holman, O’Niell and Stuart have published a randomized study on socially synchronous engagement in toddlers with autism spectrum disorder.
In their study their randomized fifty two years old children with autism spectrum disorders. The two groups received identical treatment based on established teaching strategies such as discrete trial teaching and pivotal response treatment, but one group (interpersonal synchrony) received a supplementary curriculum on engaged imitation, joint attention and affect sharing.
The study showed a significant effect for the interpersonal synchrony group on engaged imitation (including eye contact). The study also showed positive results on joint attention and affect sharing, but not statistically significant.