Short-Term Outcomes of an ESDM Intervention in Italian Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder following the Covid-19 Lockdown

Bibliographic Data

ID15715148
AuthorsRaffaella Devescovi (0000-0001-5460-5871, IRCCS Materno Infantile Burlo Garofolo, corresponding author), Giulia Bresciani (0000-0002-0590-6253, IRCCS Materno Infantile Burlo Garofolo), Vissia Colonna (IRCCS Materno Infantile Burlo Garofolo), Marco Carrozzi (0000-0001-6282-4417, IRCCS Materno Infantile Burlo Garofolo), Andrea Dissegna (0000-0002-4333-3353, University of Trieste), Maria Antonella Celea (Azienda Sanitaria Universitaria Integrata di Trieste), Devid Cescon (Azienda Sanitaria Universitaria Integrata di Trieste), Sara Frisari (Azienda Sanitaria Universitaria Integrata di Trieste), Marcella Guerrieri (Azienda Sanitaria Universitaria Integrata di Trieste), Francesca Placer (Azienda Sanitaria Universitaria Integrata di Trieste), Monica Stocchi (Azienda Sanitaria Universitaria Integrata di Trieste), Chiara Terpini (Azienda Sanitaria Universitaria Integrata di Trieste), Costanza Colombi (0000-0002-3396-8822, Fondazione Stella Maris)
Year2023
Volume10
Issue4
Pages691-691
Publication date2023-04-06
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueChildren (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2227-9067 • E-ISSN: 2227-9067
PublisherMultidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (PUBLISHER • CH)
DOI10.3390/children10040691
PMID37189940
OpenAlexW4362668496
LanguageEN
Citations received1
References cited23

The COVID-19 pandemic caused a temporary lockdown period in Italy, during which the delivery of in-person treatment for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in public health services was discontinued. This occurrence represented a crucial challenge for both families and professionals. We assessed the short-term outcomes of a sample of 18 children who received an early intervention with the Early Start Denver Model (ESDM), delivered at low intensity over one year in the pre-pandemic period, after six months of interruption of in-presence treatment due to lockdown restrictions. Children who received the ESDM treatment maintained their gains in sociocommunicative skills and did not exhibit any developmental regression. Additionally, there was evidence of a decrease in the restrictive and repetitive behavior (RRB) domain. The parents, who were already familiar with the principles of the ESDM, only received telehealth support from therapists that aimed to sustain the gains already achieved. We believe that it is always helpful to support parents in their daily lives by implementing interactional and play skills with their children to integrate and consolidate the results obtained in the individual interventions conducted by experienced therapists

Autism · Autism spectrum disorder · Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19 · Developmental psychology · Disease · Health care · Intervention (counseling · Pandemic · Psychiatry · Psychological intervention · Telehealth · Telemedicine · Autism Spectrum Disorder Research · Child Development and Digital Technology · Clinical Psychology · Family and Disability Support Research · Medicine · Psychology

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