A new study on autism therapy is shining a light on something hopeful. That children can grow and improve in many ways, and that progress depends not only on the hours of treatment but on the child’s whole world.
Researchers followed more than 1,200 children across 13 clinics in California, Texas, Illinois, and New Jersey. Every child received therapy that included speech, behavioral, and medical support. After tracking their progress, the study found that 65% of children improved across several areas, including social skills, communication, and daily routines. About 35% showed more minor changes or stayed stable, which is still valuable progress for many families.
What stood out was that when researchers added therapy intensity —total hours —to their computer model, it did not improve the results’ accuracy. In simple terms, more hours did not automatically mean more progress.
What Mattered Most
The strongest predictors of how much a child improved were the starting severity of autism symptoms, the family’s financial situation, early parental concerns such as noticing lost developmental milestones, and the presence of ADHD-like symptoms. These details shaped each child’s path more than therapy hours alone.
This does not mean therapy is not vital. It means a child’s background, challenges, and home support system also matter greatly. Dr. Neil Hattangadi, CEO of Cortica, said the findings confirm what many clinicians already understand: the more severe a child’s symptoms, the harder it can be to move forward quickly, but that is exactly why therapy needs to address all aspects of a child’s health, not just behavior.
He added that the field still focuses too much on ABA therapy alone, without addressing related medical or developmental issues. The study suggests that children do best when care includes multiple specialties working together rather than relying on a single approach.
A Smarter Kind of Therapy
The research team used machine learning to predict outcomes with 77% accuracy just from intake data. This shows that therapy is most effective when tailored to the child’s unique profile, not simply by adding more hours.
The findings also highlight why lower-income families may face more challenges. Stress, limited access to care, and fewer resources can all slow progress. This is not about effort but about unequal systems that make it harder for families to receive the same level of support.
What It Means Going Forward
Therapy remains the foundation of care for autistic children. The message here is not about reducing therapy but about making it smarter. Families and therapists both benefit when treatment plans are personalized and when speech, occupational, and behavioral approaches work hand in hand.
Clinics like Cortica and Westside Children’s Therapy are already showing how a team-based model can make therapy more effective. It is not about cutting hours but about making each one count.
The Heart of It
Every child’s growth story is different. This study reminds us that behind every chart or session log is a living child whose progress depends on care that sees the whole picture: body, mind, and environment.
When parents and therapists work together with patience, trust, and understanding, therapy becomes more than treatment. It becomes a transformation.
Nevada offers children with autism access to Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA), a form of behavioral intervention that uses positive reinforcement to teach new skills and provide additional supports throughout their day.
Parents and/or guardians seeking to learn about ABA and its potential benefits can find available resources on Nevada Autism.
