Essential Oils and Aromatherapy: Is There Science Behind That?

Catherine L. McHugh, MA, BCBA, LBA, Stacha C. Leslie, MEd, BCBA, LBA, and Thomas Zane, PhD, BCBA-D Department of Applied Behavioral Science, University of Kansas Current empirically supported treatments for autism (e.g., applied behavior analysis, speech therapy, etc.) can be expensive and time consuming for individuals with autism and relevant stakeholders (i.e., caregivers). Given this,…

Dolphin Assisted Therapy

Dolphin Assisted Therapy Lori Marino, PhD Whale Sanctuary Project & the Department of Animal Studies, New York University David Celiberti, PhD, BCBA-D Association for Science in Autism Treatment Description: Dolphin Assisted Therapy (DAT) is a form of animal‐assisted therapy (AAT) in which children or adults with various conditions interact with or swim with live captive…

A Non-exhaustive List of Previously Published but Relevant ASAT Articles of Interest to Medical Professionals

Isabelle Mawby, BS (4th Year Medical Student) and David Celiberti, PhD, BCBA-D Association for Science in Autism Treatment Countless pediatricians and other medical providers serve the autism community, and the onset of this relationship often predates a diagnosis. Supporting children with autism and their families can be both incredibly rewarding and at times overwhelming. In turn,…

Retraction of Published Research

David Celiberti, PhD, BCBA-D Association for Science in Autism Treatment Frank Cicero, PhD, BCBA, LBA Seton Hall University   retraction NOUN 1. the action of drawing something back or back in. “The pilot retracted the airplane’s landing gear.” 2. a withdrawal of a statement, accusation, or undertaking. “The hospital retracted its job offer after learning…

Standing Up for Science on Parent Social Media

By Tara Palamarik (mother of a 21-year-old son with autism) and Aleta Murphy (sibling and graduate student, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai) Today, social media is in many ways a lifesaver for families – we have become each other’s experts. Family members can ask questions about everyday struggles at any time of day…

Advocating For Your Child

My 3-year-old daughter demonstrates symptoms of ASD and a diagnosis is pending.  I am encountering an array of professionals and am wondering who does what and how I can better understand these relationships while advocating for my daughter.   Answered by Heyde Ramirez, MA, BCBA, LBA and Maria Pantelides, MA, BCBA, LBA Attentive Behavior Care Note:…

A Treatment Summary of Bleach Therapy

Updated by: Frank Cicero, PhD, BCBA, LBA Seton Hall University Description Bleach therapy, also known as chlorine dioxide treatment, was originally marketed by former scientologist Jim Humble after he used chlorine dioxide as a water treatment solution on a gold mining expedition in South America in 1996. Chlorine dioxide is a type of bleach which…

Identifying Applied Behavior Analysis Interventions

Consumer Corner What follows is the Executive Summary of a white paper published by the Association of Professional Behavior Analysts (APBA) in May 2017. APBA is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to promote and advance the science-based practice of behavior analysis by advocating for public policies and informing, supporting, and protecting practitioners and consumers.…