Effectiveness of behavioral interventions for autism spectrum disorder: A systematic review

Abstract

Background: Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is identified by a group of neurodevelopmental disorders. Given the importance and demand for behavioral interventions in autism disorder as well as the need for new intervention programs, a detailed evaluation of the outcomes of interventions for the ongoing impact of behavioral interventions for autism spectrum disorder is essential. In view of the importance of, and demand for, novel behavioural interventions in autism disorder, a comprehensive evaluation of the outcomes of interventions for the ongoing impact of behavioral interventions for autism spectrum disorder is necessary.Method: A systematic search of the electronic databases including PubMed, Embase, Scopus, Sciencedirect, ISI Web of Science, and Biomedcentral were conducted to find evidences for the effectiveness of behavioral interventions for autism spectrum disorders. The search strategy was based on exploring studies published in different global languages from the earliest to 2019 databases. In addition to the databases mentioned above, relevant studies were searched using forward and backward citation tracing.Results:In the present review, 48 randomized controlled trials (RCTs),and 44 quasi-experimental articles matched the defined evaluation criteria. Eighty-three out of 93 studies were conducted in high-income countries, the results of which raised the challenges associated with acceptability of conducting those studies in low- and middle-income countries. The majority of those studies (93.5%) were classified as having either low or medium quality. From those studies, 32 studies used integrative programs, and 30 studies used social skills development interventions.The majority of the studies were based on integrative programs designed to foster social skills development interventions. The results of the study showed that social skills development interventions were effective in changing the desired outcomes. The results showed that,regardless of the study design and the type of intervention used, the possibility for success of interventions were greater in changing the participants' social skills.Conclusions :There were inconsistent evidence on the effectiveness of interventions in providing changes in targeted outcomes. There is a need for further investigation in behavioral interventions for autism spectrum disorders. Further research is needed to understand the effectiveness of other interventions and finding a quality interventions to achieve more significant results.