The Murdoch Early Intervention Program After 2 Years

Abstract

The goal of the Murdoch Early Intervention Program (MEIP) was to replicate the intensive early intervention program designed by Lovaas for children with severe developmental disability and autism. This paper describes the objectives, methods, and the results as of 24 months. Although MEIP differs from Lovaas's model in several respects, and the children have been generally less capable at the outset, results are interpreted tentatively as being as predicted. Four of 9 experimental children have shown signs of approaching normal levels of functioning whereas 1 of 5 control children has made significant progress. Improvements in the remainder of the children are rated as moderate to minimal. These preliminary results are presented to encourage others working with children with autism and other difficult-to-teach children to publish their methods and results. The small number of children in any one locality, and the high cost of controlled studies indicates the necessity for accumulating findings across service providers.