Updated by David Celiberti, PhD, BCBA-D (August 2020)
Association for Science in Autism Treatment
Welcome to this page. We are all better served with greater knowledge of the science that helps improve the interventions, therapies, and programs for individuals with autism spectrum disorders. You will find different types of articles described below. We are constantly developing new content so please return to this page often and share our content with those who may be interested.
Science Corner is geared towards helping consumers and young professionals better appreciate the relevance of the scientific method, learn about concepts relevant to all aspects of scientific inquiry, and become more inoculated against pseudoscience in all its forms (so as not to be harmed by the influence of poor science and information that appears to be “scientific” but is sadly not). To this end, and since not everyone has a scientific background, we will showcase shorter articles because we believe knowledge leads to more informed decisions….and more informed decisions lead to better outcomes for children and adults with ASD.
- Conducting a Comprehensive Literature Search
- Avoiding the Pitfalls of Circular Reasoning
- Retraction of Published Research
- Regression to the Mean: Expand Your Science Knowledge
- ASD Intervention: How Do We Measure Effectiveness?
- Determining the Effectiveness of Treatments Available to Persons with Autism – Part One
- Determining the Effectiveness of Treatments Available to Persons with Autism – Part Two
- Can Scientists Prove That a Treatment Does Not Work?
- Some Cautions on the Exclusive Use of Standardized Assessments in Recovery-Oriented Treatment
- The Pitfalls Of Testimonials
- What Caused That?
- Treatment Integrity: Why it is Important Regardless of Discipline
- Evaluating Research
- Pseudoscientific Treatments: Some Warning Signs
- Science, Pseudoscience, and Antiscience
- “Verification” and the Peer Review Process
Is there Science Behind That? focuses on one specific intervention put forth as a “treatment” for autism. Each article provides a background and showcases the research available at the time that the article was written and recommendations appear at the end. Brief summaries for more treatments can be found here. You may also be interested in synopses of published research articles, as well as recommendations of expert panels and task forces
- Is There Science Behind That?: Autism Service Dogs
- Is There Science Behind That?: Bleach Therapy
- Is There Science Behind That?: Blood Pressure Drug
- Is There Science Behind That?: Chelation
- Is There Science Behind That?: Complementary Alternative Medicine
- Is There Science Behind That?: DIR/Floor Time
- Is There Science Behind That?: Early Start Denver Model
- Is There Science Behind That? Facilitated Communication
- Is There Science Behind That?: Fecal Microbial Transplantation
- Is There Science Behind That?: Gluten-Free and Casein-Free Diets
- Is There Science Behind That?: Hippotherapy
- Is There Science Behind That?: Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy
- Is There Science Behind That?: Marijuana
- Is There Science Behind That?: Nutrients to Support Speech Development
- Is There Science Behind That?: Relationship Development Intervention
- Is There Science Behind That?: Sensory Diets
- Is There Science Behind That?: Sensory Integration Training
- Is There Science Behind That?: Stem Cell Therapy
Articles that may be useful to consumers who are interested in becoming more knowledgeable and savvier are showcased below. This list is not comprehensive and we invite you to explore our website for other articles of interest.
Advocacy
- Review of Neurologica Blog
- Countering Evidence Denial and the Promotion of Pseudoscience
- Advocating for Your Child
- Underwater Basket Weaving Therapy for Autism: Don’t Laugh! It Could Happen…
- Review of “Learn the Signs. Act Early.”
- Preparing to Speak with A Doctor About Medication
- Explaining Decisions to Use Science-Based Treatments
- Questions to Ask Marketers of Autism Interventions
- Caveat Lector: Let the Reader Beware
- How to Obtain Health Insurance Coverage for ASD Therapies Under New Jersey Law (2010 article)
Other Related resources on our Website
- Packet for Parents of Newly Diagnosed Children
- Making sense of autism treatments: Weighing the evidence
- Some Resources for Parents
- Ten Resources for Consumers to Evaluate Information Sources
- Training Practitioners to Evaluate Evidence About Interventions (Summary of an article)
- The Persistence of Fad Interventions (Summary of an article)
- Characteristics and Quality of Autism Websites
- Qualifications of Behavior Service Providers
- Identifying Applied Behavior Analysis Interventions
- Autism Treatment in the Media
Some of Our Relevant Media Watch Letters
- ASAT Responds to Psychology Today’s “3 Ways That Pseudoscientific Therapies Can Be Harmful”
- ASAT Responds to Medscape.com’s “Unproven Therapies Are ‘Muddying’ Cell and Gene Advances”
- ASAT Responds to Science-Based Medicine’s, “Preying on the Vulnerable: Electrodiagnostics, Bach Flower Remedies, and Sound Therapy for Autism, ADHD, and Learning Problems”
- ASAT Responds to NIU’s “Science or Bunk: How to Tell the Difference”
- ASAT Responds to Chicago Tribune story “FDA Warns Maker of Product Used as Alternative Autism Treatment”
- ASAT Responds to Chicago Tribune story “Autism Treatment: Science Hijacked to Support Alternative Therapies”
- ASAT Responds to NY Times story “Regimens: Restrictive Diets May Not Be Appropriate for Children with Autism”
- ASAT Responds to NY Times story “Trying Anything and Everything for Autism”
- ASAT Responds to Texas Observer’s “Autism Inc.: The Discredited Science, Shady Treatments and Rising Profits Behind Alternative Autism Treatments”
- ASAT Responds to Huffington Post’s “Complementary and Alternative Medicine Use Common In Children With Autism, Study Says”
