Dear Ms. Burch,
Thank you for your recent article showcasing the opening of Children’s Developmental Center, a program for children with autism based on the time-tested and scientifically-validated principles of applied behavior analysis (ABA).
Often times, journalists shed light on one of the many fad therapies lacking research support, some of which may actually cause harm. This misdirected attention sadly eclipses methods already supported by research in peer-reviewed journals, as is the case with ABA. Pursuit of treatments lacking scientific support separates children from effective intervention and can lead to poorer outcomes. This is why your article is such an important one.
We also applaud this center for providing opportunities for parent observation. Not only does it promote transparency and accountability but also supports carryover and consistency across settings, a key component of effective early intervention.
Again, we appreciate the sharing of this story with your readers.
Best,
David Celiberti, PhD, BCBA-D
Executive Director of the Association for Science in Autism Treatment
