Dear Mr. Huffman:
Bravo! We would like to commend you for your thoughtful and insightful article calling attention to the fact that discredited therapies continue to be used with individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). With over 400 treatment options available, parents may struggle with identifying the most effective research-supported treatment that leads to meaningful progress for their child. The reality is that families invest thousands of dollars annually on unsupported approaches, which drain precious resources and waste valuable time. Even worse, myriad so-called “therapies” are potentially harmful and place individuals with autism at risk. The increase in autism prevalence, combined with clever marketing of treatments lacking scientific support, underscore the need for organizations like the Association for Science in Autism Treatment (ASAT).
ASAT’s mission is to promote safe, effective, and science-based treatments for individuals with autism. As a result of the difficulties involved in treating ASD, pseudoscientific methods such as FC have been too quickly adopted by professionals, too sensationalized by the media, and too quickly embraced by consumers. ASAT strives to achieve the concluding statement to your article, which is “…experts in autism need to better educate the public about not only what works for the condition, but what doesn’t.”
Of the “fad interventions” described in your article, you highlighted the use of facilitated communication (FC) as a therapy that continues to be touted as a treatment for autism. As you correctly pointed out, FC is an unfortunate example of how such an intervention can be potentially damaging to people with autism and their families. We at ASAT could not agree more with your conclusion that unsupported approaches continue to be used because “autism is extremely difficult to treat,” and proponents of pseudoscience often make every effort to pitch their treatment as easy, quick, and curative.
It is our hope that other news stories such as yours will continue to help educate consumers of autism interventions about what treatments do and do not have evidence to support their effectiveness.
Christopher E. Smith, PhD, BCBA-D, and David Celiberti, PhD, BCBA-D
Association for Science in Autism Treatment
