Feasibility and Short-Term Behavioral Change Following Structured Home- Based Intervention in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Quasiexperimental Study
Author(s): Shyamal Kumar*, Avinash Kumar, MKC Nair
Background: Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a heterogenous neurodevelopmental condition with increasing prevalence in India. Access to intensive, center-based interventions remains limited in low resource settings. This necessitates scalable caregiver mediated approaches like Home-Based Intervention (HBI).
Objective: To evaluate short-term changes in ASD domains (Social, Behavioral, Communication and Sensory) outcomes following a structured HBI program in young children with ASD.
Methods: A quasi experimental pre-post study design was used. Fortyeight children aged 2–6 years diagnosed with ASD underwent a structured individualized caregiver implemented HBI plan (mention duration). Behavioural outcomes were assessed Pre- and post-intervention using the Trivandrum Autism Behavior Checklist (TABC). Additional data on sleep profile, screen time, age, and gender were analyzed.
Results: A significant mean reduction in TABC scores was observed postintervention (mean change: 8.79 ± 5.2; p < 0.0001). Mean screen time was 3.85 hrs/day and average sleep duration was 10.59 hrs/day. No significant correlation was found between baseline TABC score and screen time or sleep profile.
Conclusion: Structured HBI may be a feasible and beneficial strategy in reducing autism related behaviours in resource constrained settings with notable behavioral improvements over time.