Expanding Equitable Access to Services for Individuals with Autism: An Interview with Rita Gardner

Interview conducted by Mary Jane Weiss, PhD, BCBA-D Mary Jane: In this interview, Rita Gardner highlights the non-profit organization Melmark’s expansion into the Carolinas, an area of the country where many students with disabilities often experience ineffective education, and where there is an urgent need to provide quality services to individuals with autism. Rita also…

Effects of video modeling on abduction-prevention skills by individuals with autism spectrum disorder

  Abadir, C. M., DeBar, R. M., Vladescu, J. C., Reeve, S. A., & Kupferman, D. M. (2021). Effects of video modeling on abduction‐prevention skills by individuals with autism spectrum disorder. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 54(3), 1139-1156. https://doi.org/10.1002/jaba.822   Reviewed by Nicole Radzilowicz, MEd, BCBA and Mary Jane Weiss, PhD, BCBA-D Endicott College Why research this…

Focus on the Treatment Team: Physical Therapy

Kate McKenna, MEd, MSEd, MS, BCBA, Association for Science in Autism Treatment Brittany Hardie, PT, DPT, Melmark History As detailed in Moffat (2003), physical therapy has a long history in the United States and the profession has evolved over time in response to multiple major historical and medical events. The involvement of physical therapists in…

Using a Picture Activity Schedule Treatment Package to Teach Toothbrushing to Children with ASD

Moran, K., Reeve, S. A., Reeve, K. F., DeBar, R. M., & Somers, K. (2022). Using a picture activity schedule treatment package to teach toothbrushing to children with autism spectrum disorder. Education and Treatment of Children, 45, 145-156. https://doi.org/10.1007/s43494-022-00074-6 Reviewed by: Jeannine Ederer, BS, and Robert H. LaRue, PhD, BCBA-D Graduate School of Applied and…

Promoting Autism Acceptance and Awareness in School Settings

Simon Celiberti-Byam and Julia Weiss High School Externs with the Association for Science in Autism Treatment Increasingly, individuals with autism are included in regular educational settings. This is a huge improvement, as many were formerly taught in segregated settings and had reduced access to social, recreational, and educational activities. Still, these students may have visible…

Social Thinking: 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 One of the major diagnostic criteria for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is deficits in social communication (Center for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2022). Research and clinical practice highlight numerous…

Adolescents with autism spectrum disorder and social skills groups at school: A randomized trial comparing intervention environment and peer composition

  Dean, M., Williams, J., Orlich, F., & Kasari, C. (2020). Adolescents with autism spectrum disorder and social skills groups at school: A randomized trial comparing intervention environment and peer composition. School Psychology Review, 49(1), 60-73. https://doi.org/10.1080/2372966X.2020.1716636 Reviewed by: Daniel Park, MAP and Robert H. LaRue, PhD, BCBA-D Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey…