CARD Reveals Outcome of First Arizona Early, Intensive Behavioral Therapy Study

In 2006 the Arizona state Legislature and Governor Janet Napolitano approved $3.6 million funding for a two-year comprehensive outcome study to evaluate the effectiveness of early, intensive Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) as a treatment for autism.

The Center for Autism and Related Disorders, Inc. (CARD) was selected to administer the treatment and spearhead the study in Phoenix. Now, one year later, the 16 children have shown promising results.

Amy Kenzer, PhD, BCBA, CARD’s manager of Research and Development says, “At this point, all of the children in the Arizona grant have received services for approximately a year and a half. Following one year of treatment, several children showed significant improvements as measured by standardized assessments and parent report, including two children who gained 50 IQ points. Many of the children also started full day Kindergarten this fall and are doing very well in their new classrooms.”

Kenzer will present the complete outcome report on February 14, 2009 at the Autism/Asperger Conference held at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, California. Her presentation begins at 1:30pm. Attendees will learn about the therapy utilized with all 16 children, the results of the therapy after one year, and the current status of the children.

About Amy Kenzer, PhD, BCBA:
Dr. Amy Kenzer, Research and Development Manager at the Center for Autism and Related Disorders, has over 10 years of experience in the field of Behavior Analysis and Autism.

Dr. Kenzer earned her Ph.D. from the University of Nevada, Reno and is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst. Her research interests include outcome-level analyses of ABA-based interventions, component analysis of ABA-based teaching techniques, fluency instruction, and basic learning processes in children with autism.

About the Center for Autism and Related Disorders, Inc. (CARD):
The Center for Autism and Related Disorders, Inc. (CARD) was established in 1990 and is among the world's largest and most experienced organizations effectively treating children with autism and related disorders. CARD operates 20 satellite offices throughout the United States and abroad. CARD has treated thousands of children around the world. Its services include assessments, supervision, parent/teacher training and one-to-one therapy.

Following the principles of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), a treatment for autism that has been thoroughly researched and empirically validated by the scientific community, CARD develops individualized treatment plans.