Abstract
Summary
In an earlier paper (Cantwell et al 1977) details of assessment procedures for analysing language level and language function in young autistic children were presented. The present paper describes the use of these measures to assess changes in the language of autistic children following the implementation of language programmes at home: Experimental children were found to make rapid improvements in their use of language following a relatively brief period of home intervention. These gains were then maintained even when professional intervention was reduced. Control children showed far fewer significant changes than experimental children. The greatest improvements, however, were in children's use of language to communicate, rather than in basic language level and the implications of this finding are important for our understanding of the nature of the fundamental handicap in autism. The value of using parents as therapists for their own children is also discussed.