BACKGROUND: Group-based early intervention was widely implemented for autistic children, yet the impact on group adaptive functioning remained under-investigated. These abilities were critical for successful transition into preschool environments. This study examined the effectiveness of a group-based early intervention program in a public health daycare setting on both developmental outcomes and group adaptive functioning, and explored potential predictors of treatment response. METHOD: We conducted a retrospective chart review of autistic children aged 2-6 years who attended a group-based early intervention program in a daycare setting. Developmental outcomes were assessed using the Chinese Child Development Inventory (CCDI), group adaptive functioning using a newly developed Group Adaptive Function Index (GAFI), and overall symptom severity using the Clinical Global Impression-Severity (CGI-S). Psychometric and convergent validity of the GAFI were examined. Pre- and post-intervention changes were analyzed, and their associations with age at admission, treatment duration, and baseline developmental profiles were explored. We also compared good and poor responders to identify potential predictors of treatment response. RESULTS: Results showed significant improvements in expressive language, concept comprehension, general developmental quotients, and all GAFI subscales. CGI-S scores also showed a significant decrease, indicating overall symptom improvement. The GAFI demonstrated acceptable validity. Baseline developmental levels, particularly expressive language, concept comprehension, and general development, predicted better treatment response. CONCLUSION: Group-based early intervention in a daycare setting effectively improved both developmental and group adaptive functioning in autistic children. The GAFI might serve as a clinically relevant outcome measure, and baseline developmental profiles might inform clinical decision-making.
Seng et al. (Wed,) studied this question.