Efficacy and moderating factors of the Early Start Denver Model in Chinese toddlers with autism spectrum disorder:a longitudinal study

Background Several studies have shown the effectiveness of the Early Start Denver Model(ESDM),but few studies have explored the long-term efficacy of ESDM.This study aimed to explore the efficacy and moderating factors of ESDM in Chinese toddlers with autism spectrum disorder(ASD)in a longitudinal way.Methods A total of 60 toddlers with ASD were recruited and randomly divided into two groups:ESDM group all received 24 weeks intervention;Control group were waiting for intervention.Baseline assessment(T0)was conducted before intervention,including Gesell Developmental Scale(GDS)and Psycho-educational Profile-3rd Edition(PEP-3).All toddlers with ASD were examined in the first assessment(T1)at 6 months and in the second assessment(T2)at 12 months.Results In T1 assessment,the increments in speech and personal communication development quotient in GDS were significantly larger in the ESDM group than in the control group(P=0.010,0.047).In T2 assessment,the ESDM group had higher elevation in cognitive verbal/preverbal(CVP),social reciprocity and characteristic verbal behaviors assessed by PEP-3(P=0.021,0.046,0.014).In addition,the severity of stereotyped behavior was negatively associated with improvement in CVP.Family income was positively associated with improvement in speech and CVP(all P<0.05).Conclusions ESDM can effectively improve speech and communication in toddlers with ASD after 24-week intervention.More importantly,ESDM can promote cognition and social interaction and can reduce stereotyped verbal behavior in toddlers with ASD in longitudinal observation.The severity of stereotyped behavior and family ecological factors may be considered as affecting the efficacy of ESDM.

Adverse impact of industrial animal agriculture on the health and welfare of farmed animals

Industrial animal agriculture is grounded in the concept of maximizing productivity and profit.Selective breeding for maximum productivity in one characteristic of the animal(e.g.milk yield in cows,or breast meat in broiler chickens)has resulted in genotypes and phenotypes that may predispose the animals to poor health and welfare.The conditions in which these individuals are kept may also frustrate many inherited behaviors that they are strongly motivated to perform.In order to curb the resulting harmful aberrant behaviors,such as feather-pecking in chickens,we sometimes resort to mutilating the animals.In many places chickens are routinely de-beaked by means of a hot metal guillotine.Compassion in World Farming(an international organization that promotes the humane treatment of farm animals)believes that it is unethical to treat sentient beings in such ways.We have a duty to respect farm animals’sentience by providing them with housing conditions that take their needs and wants into account,and by reverting to the use of dual-purpose,slower-growing breeds that have the potential for good welfare.Alternatives to current farming practices are available,and we owe it to the animals,and to our consciences,to pursue them.