EARLY INTERVENTION IN AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER AND ITS IMPACTS ON CHILD DEVELOPMENT

Abstract

Introduction: Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder with early signs that may manifest within the first 24 months of life, potentially impairing occupational (learning, work) and social (interaction, communication) areas. Given the brain plasticity characteristic of early childhood, early intervention is crucial for mitigating impairments and enhancing child development. Objective: To identify the impacts of early intervention on the development of children with ASD. Method: An integrative literature review was conducted using the PubMed, SciELO, and CAPES databases, with the descriptors "early intervention," "autism spectrum disorder," and "child development." Inclusion criteria comprised full-text articles published in English within the last 10 years. The final sample consisted of 21 studies. Results: Early intervention demonstrated benefits across multiple domains: global development and play skills (23.8%); communication (19%); cognition/adaptive behavior (19%); social interaction (19%); motor development (14.3%); and sensory processing (14.3%). Caregiver participation and implementation fidelity were identified as determining factors for outcomes. Conclusion: Early intervention yields significant positive impacts on child development, particularly when initiated during the early years using naturalistic and family-mediated approaches. However, variability in response, the need for individualized care, and barriers to access highlight the importance of public policies that address inequalities and of scalable strategies, such as tele-intervention and culturally adapted programs.