Autism early education breakthrough: Toddlers thrive in mainstream schools

In a world first, breakthrough research from La Trobe University has shown that toddlers with autism are just as capable of learning important life skills through early-intervention delivered in mainstream pre-schools as in specialised settings.

Over a period of three years, 44 children aged between 15 and 32 months were randomly assigned to classrooms that included only children with autism or to classrooms with typically developing peers. Using the same type of intervention method for all children – the Group-Early Start Denver Model (G-ESDM)* developed at La Trobe – toddlers with autism showed improvements in their vocal skills, social…