Abstract

In this paper we review a study which compared the effectiveness of early intervention on a group of infants aged between 12-24 months and a group of toddlers aged between 24-36 months, who received therapeutic intervention for autism with the Mifne Approach. Brain and clinical research show that the first two years of life presents a therapeutic window of opportunity for early intervention for autism and its prodrome during the period when the human brain is still undergoing rapid change and development. The first study presented in this issue, demonstrates the possibility of eliciting symptoms associated with very early screening within the first year of life, in some cases from as early as 5 or 6 months of age where there is cause for concern. The development of effective early screening assessments for infants with autism is, however, a necessary, but insufficient step in the treatment of very young infants with autism. The results of this second study, demonstrate that the earlier the therapeutic intervention the greater the likelihood of alleviating symptoms associated with autism.