Interview with Catherine Maurice, PhD, Parent, Author, and Founding Board Member of the Association for Science in Autism Treatment

Conducted by David Celiberti, PhD, BCBA-D Executive Director, Association for Science in Autism Treatment I had the opportunity to interview Dr. Catherine Maurice, a founding member of ASAT and current member of our Professional Advisory Board. Dr. Maurice has been a long-term supporter and integral part of ASAT’s success. We are deeply grateful for her…

ASD Intervention: How Do We Measure Effectiveness?

By Daniel W. Mruzek, PhD, BCBA-D University of Rochester Marketers of purported interventions for autism spectrum disorder (ASD), whether they are pills, devices, or exercises, claim that their products are effective. As proof, they point to any number of measures: some valid, some questionable, and some potentially misleading. Given that many of these “treatments” may…

How Can I Structure Playdates for Success?

My child with autism is doing well in his academic programming, but I’d like to help him develop social skills with peers. He participates in playdates, but I often worry that we are not making the most of these opportunities. How can I help him learn to play with a friend? Considering the recent pandemic,…

How do you figure out what motivates your students?

Maximizing motivation is an essential component of effective teaching and behavior reduction; therefore, preference assessments can help identify those items and activities that will be most motivating for individuals with autism. In this issue of Clinical Corner, Niall Toner shares why preference assessments are so important and provides an excellent overview of the various types…

Interventions for Individuals on the Autism Spectrum and How Best to Evaluate their Effectiveness

Written by Bob LaRue, PhD, BCBA-D Associate Director of Behavioral and Research Services Douglass Developmental Disabilities Center, Rutgers University & Amy Hansford, BA Autism is a complex disorder characterized by significant deficits in social reciprocity and communicative ability as well as the presence of repetitive behavior/restricted interests. Given the heterogeneous nature of autism, many interventions…

Resources for Implementation of Evidence-Based Practice

by Kate Fiske, PhD, BCBA-D Though many parents and professionals recognize the importance of implementing evidence-based practices for children with autism, they may struggle with identifying resources that offer practical strategies for implementing these practices. The National Professional Development Center (NPDC) on Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) has compiled a series of briefs on 24 evidence-based…

Making Sense of Autism Treatments: Weighing the Evidence

Before evaluating any content found on the ASAT website, please read this article by Sense About Science. Sense About Science has produced a guide to help people to query the status of science and research reported in the media. The guide details how peer reviewed articles like the ones we offer below are checked and published. Choosing…

Productive Meetings in Home ABA Programs

I am a parent who has a home-based ABA program. We are fortunate to hold monthly meetings with all of the providers that work with my child. I am looking for some ideas on how to make the most of these meetings. Any suggestions? Answered by Preeti Chojar ASAT Parent Board Member It is terrific…