A Spotlight on Science in Autism Treatment

David Celiberti, PhD, BCBA-D, Vincent Winterling, EdD, Brizida Vinjau, MS, BCBA, Marcia Questel, MSEd, BCBA, & Caroline Simard, MS, BCBA
Association for Science in Autism Treatment

As providers and family members, you have undoubtedly witnessed consumers enticed and distracted by an endless stream of purported autism treatments. Often, these treatments run counter to effective approaches, may deplete precious resources (e.g., time and money), and raise false hopes. We believe that Science in Autism Treatment (SIAT), our Association’s free, monthly e-publication, is crucial for helping families and professionals avoid the seemingly endless pursuit of “try this” and “try that” and make choices based on the very best that science has to offer.

In addition to visitors to our comprehensive website, newsletter recipients stay informed of up-to-date science-based treatments, read about ASAT’s response to inaccuracies about autism treatments in the media, and learn how science can be used to inform and guide treatment decisions.

In addition to ASAT’s team of writers, we showcase articles by leading advocates of science-based treatment throughout the world. SIAT is packed with high-quality, timely, and accurate information (typically 5 articles per issue) such as:

• Research Synopses of published studies to translate knowledge and increase access to science. Recent published research synopses include ones related to teaching conversation skills, behavior skills training, using escape extinction to treat self-injury, building tolerance for haircutting, cognitive behavior therapy for anxiety in adolescents with ASD, effects of videomodeling on vocational skills, social skill groups for adolescents, and implementing a manualized classroom transition intervention. More previously published Research Synopses can be found here.
• Treatment Summaries of specific treatments for autism. Recent published treatment summaries include social stories, Picture Exchange Communication System, Direct Instruction, Early Start Denver Model, Facilitated Communication, and Rapid Prompting Method. In addition, we offer a compendium of biomedical interventions and recent additions include a critical review of essential oils, cannabis and marijuana, and bleach therapy. More treatment summaries can be found here.
• Is There Science Behind That? Articles in this area of the newsletter are more detailed reviews of the state of the science behind particular treatments. Recent published articles include discussions related to Stem Cell Therapy, EEG Neurofeedback, Brain Balance, Sensory Diets, Early Start Denver Model, and DIR/Floortime. Find other previously published “Is There Science Behind That?” articles here.
• Clinical Corner provides responses to frequently asked questions about autism treatment. This is a particularly content-rich area of the ASAT website which spans many critical issues, such as early and timely diagnosis, effective interventions, and issues impacting families. Some recent Clinical Corner articles include topics such as teaching social skills, mask wearing, promoting engagement, answering WH questions, promoting the success of playdates, addressing the needs of Black families, and essential skills to teach during COVID-19. Find more Clinical Corner installments here.
• Consumer Corner showcases available resources and services that inform and guide treatment decisions. We offer tips for advocacy, resources for parents including how to evaluate information sources, how to evaluate credentials of behavior service providers, and a non-exhaustive list of learning apps. Find more Consumer Corner articles here.
• Science Corner offers user-friendly knowledge about science for a savvier consumer. Recent published installments include topics such as making sense of the evidence, retraction of published research, the pitfalls of circular reasoning, and conducting a comprehensive literature search.
• Book Reviews are published that reflect the field of autism, treatment, and education. Recent published book reviews include Autism 24-7, Autism’s Declaration of Independence, Let’s Make a Contract, and Life as an Autism Sibling. We have also featured article reviews on topics such countering evidence denial, collaboration between behavior analysts and occupational therapists, collaborative practice between behavior analysts and speech-language pathologists, and the identification, evaluation, and management of ASD. Read our prior book, article, and online resource reviews here.
• Spotlight Articles showcase one of our efforts/offerings more specifically. We recently featured our Externship, Savvy Consumer page, our LinkedIn page, our page for behavior analysts, our page for SLPs, and our offerings for Pediatricians and Other Medical Providers. Please peruse our website to read more.
• From the Archives highlights some of our previously published content that is still relevant. Readers can peruse our vast library of archived issues of Science in Autism Treatment here.
• Interviews with those advancing science-based treatment and confronting pseudoscience both in the United States and abroad are featured. Some recent interviews include Dr. Michelle Kelly, Dr. Francesca degli Espinosa, Tracie Lindblad, Rita Gardner, Eileen Lamb, Erika Gleeson, as well as a two part group interview with four occupational therapists. Find more interviews here.
• Media Watch responses address misleading information in public media as well as acknowledge accurate portrayals of autism and autism treatment. Some of the responses include topics such as bleach therapy, ABA therapy, music therapy, autism awareness in law-enforcement, early autism screening, and children with autism and the pandemic.

For longtime subscribers, you may have noticed an increase in articles both more academic (e.g., use of feeding tubes and article on transition planning) and more personal (e.g., Eileen Lamb’s interview and Judy Ursitti’s Perspectives piece) that showcase the more severe part of the autism spectrum. This is intentional and part of our effort to highlight the needs and experiences of a group of people with autism who are sadly often overlooked.

We have a one-page flyer that highlights Science in Autism Treatment and its contents. Please be aware that we have translated this flyer into the following languages: English, Arabic, Armenian, Bangla, Brazilian Portuguese, French, Canadian French, German, Hebrew, Hindi, Italian, Malay, Mandarin, Russian, Serbian, Spanish, Swedish, and Vietnamese.

There are several ways you can help us make more people aware of Science in Autism Treatment:

1. If you are not already a subscriber, please subscribe. Again, it just takes a few moments.
2. If you are already signed up, we urge you to share this article with others who might be interested by using the share options featured on the lower left of this page.
3. Share a one-page full color flyer that highlights information about this monthly publication. As listed above, we have translated versions in over a dozen languages each with its own unique link.
4. Post the link to our newsletter on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter and follow us for the latest updates. These efforts will help spread the word to those who may be seeking a resource for science-based treatments.
5. Take this sign-up sheet to your workplace, conference, workshop or meeting, and gather subscribers for the newsletter. You can mail it to us at PO Box 1447 Hoboken, NJ 07030 or simply scan and email your sign-up sheet to newsletter@asatonline.org.
6. Science in Autism Treatment is available free of charge. Donations to support our ongoing efforts are always welcomed.
7. If you have any suggestions related to Science in Autism Treatment, please write to newsletter@asatonline.org.

Citation for this article:

Celiberti, D., Winterling, V., Vinjau, B., Questel, M., & Simard, C. (2023). A spotlight on Science in Autism Treatment. Science in Autism Treatment, 20(2).