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UCSB Koegel Autism Center

PRT Changes Brain Activity

A major Yale University study has recently revealed the impact of our Pivotal Response Treatment (PRT® - Developed here at UCSB) on brain activity in children with ASD. In addition to positive behavioral changes, fMRI measures showed that after Pivotal Response Treatment the brain activity of children with autism more closely resembled that of typically developing children. This compelling finding reveals that PRT goes beyond behavior modification to alter the physiology of the brain, offering a biological explanation for observed behavioral gains. This significant breakthrough in autism treatment research is likely the first of many studies that will explore the benefits of PRT on brain function and development in children with autism. 

For the complete article, please click HERE.

Voos, A. C., Pelphrey, K. A., Tirrell, J., Bolling, D. Z., Vander Wyk, B., Kaiser, M. D., McPartland, J. C., Volkmar, F. R., Ventola, P. (2012) Neural Mechanisms of Improvements in Social Motivation After Pivotal Response Treatment: Two Case Studies. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disabilities. 2012 Oct 27 [Epub ahead of print].

This article and other PRT publications can be found on our recent publications page. For more information may contact us at autism@education.ucsb.edu.