It can be difficult for a family to have a child that only speaks in repetitive phrases, is often unsmiling and expressionless, doesn't make eye contact and doesn't respond to emotional words and cuddles but this is often the reality of a life with an autistic child. Not to mention how difficult it can be for the child to integrate into society in general. Research suggests that there are benefits to early intervention in autism and that it could help raise IQ scores and assist in their social learning.

Jochebed Jayasooria Isaacs, director of the Early Autism Project Malaysia, discusses the importance of early intervention in autism.