David Celiberti, PhD, BCBA-D
Association for Science in Autism Treatment

Tom Zane, PhD, BCBA-D,Few individuals have had as profound an impact on the promotion of evidence-based autism treatment as Dr. Tom Zane. As a behavior analyst, faculty member, researcher, mentor, and one of ASAT’s most prolific authors, Tom has remained steadfast in his commitment to one central principle: families should be offered scientifically supported intervention choices, and the decisions they make should be informed by the best available evidence.

For many within the Association for Science in Autism Treatment (ASAT), as well as in the broader field of autism and the discipline of applied behavior analysis, Tom’s name is synonymous with thoughtful skepticism, scientific rigor, and a willingness to ask difficult questions when popular treatments outpace the available evidence (as they often do). His contributions to ASAT’s library of published works have helped countless professionals, caregivers, and students better understand how to evaluate treatment claims and distinguish science from pseudoscience. As you will see below, Tom’s written contributions to Science in Autism Treatment span more than a decade and reflect his longstanding dedication to critical inquiry.

As Tom’s role with ASAT evolved, he collaborated with colleagues and his doctoral students to create our series titled Is There Science Behind That?. In these articles, Tom and his co-authors have examined emerging and controversial interventions, including hyperbaric oxygen therapy, gluten-free and casein-free diets, autism service dogs, bleach therapy, leucovorin, Snoezelen rooms, and other widely popularized treatments. He offered readers clear and accessible summaries of the available evidence while modelling the process of scientific review and evaluation. Rather than dismissing treatments outright, Tom consistently demonstrated how to ask the right questions, evaluate the available research, and arrive at recommendations grounded in evidence. His reviews often provided a roadmap for the research questions that proponents of understudied interventions would need to address to strengthen their evidence base. For readers, Tom encouraged them to look beyond testimonials and marketing claims and instead examine the quality of the evidence supporting treatment recommendations. Taken together, his articles have helped readers better understand why unsupported treatments often gain popularity despite a lack of scientific support.

For all of these reasons and more, ASAT is proud to celebrate Dr. Tom Zane and his extensive contributions to ASAT, our field, and our shared commitment to science. When he is not writing for Science in Autism Treatment, Tom is a Professor of Practice and the Director of Online Programs in Behavioral Science in the Department of Applied Behavioral Science at the University of Kansas. He currently serves as the HS Pennypacker Chair of the Board at the Cambridge Center for Behavioral Studies, an international organization dedicated to advancing behavioral science. The Association for Behavior Analysis International recently awarded Dr. Zane the distinction of Fellow, a prestigious recognition given to professionals who have made sustained, outstanding contributions to the field of behavior analysis. He is actively involved in Human Rights Committees for organizations serving individuals with autism and other intellectual disabilities. His research interests focus on online learning, evidence-based practices in autism treatment, ethics, and the philosophy of science, particularly radical behaviorism. Tom is especially interested in understanding why some behavior analysts deviate from ethical codes and emphasizes the importance of using scientifically supported treatments across all areas of behavior analysis. In his spare time, when he has it, Tom likes to read for fun and exercise.

Thank you, Tom. We are grateful for your unwavering contributions, and we look forward to continuing to share your insightful articles with our readers.

For all of these professional accomplishments, however, what sets Tom apart is not captured by a CV or a list of publications and honors. Tom brings kindness, generosity, wit, and humor to all that he does. He has a remarkable ability to make people feel valued and supported, and we are grateful not only for all that Tom has contributed to the field but also for the person he is, a genuinely kind, humble, and wonderful colleague, mentor, and collaborator.

Reference for this article:

Celiberti, D. (2026). Celebrating Dr. Tom Zane. Science in Autism Treatment, 23(9).

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