The Mifne Method - ISRAEL. Early intervention in the treatment of autism/PDD: A therapeutic programme for the nuclear family and their child

Abstract

The paper will present the Mifne (turning point) Method for early intervention in the treatment of the Autism spectrum, which has been developed as an intensive, short-term therapy programme for infants: the youngest infant treated at the Center was five months old. The Mifne approach is derived from attachment theory. The programme is designed to treat families with children under the age of five. The sequential programme includes three stages: 1. Intensive system therapy for the nuclear family that continues for a three week period in residence at the Center. 2. Follow-up treatment takes place at the family home. 3. Integration of the child into mainstream education. A retrospective evaluation of the programme undertaken by the Schneider Children's Medical Center revealed that children showed improvement on almost all items of two scales: the Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS) and the Social Behavior Rating Scale (SBRS). Total scores on both scales showed significant improvement after three weeks and after six months. Follow-up data shows that 73% of the children treated at the Center have been integrated in mainstream schools. Clearly, early detection and treatment in the first year of life can redirect the infant's development and might avoid the escalation of autistic symptoms. An illustrative case study is described.