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Association for Science in Autism Treatment
We promote safe, effective, science-based autism treatments
Association for Science in Autism TreatmentAssociation for Science in Autism Treatment
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  • Autism Treatment
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    • What is Autism?
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      • Review of The Complete Guide to Autism Treatments
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  • Autism Treatment
  • Parents & Educators
    • What is Autism?
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    • Savvy Consumer
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    • For Educators
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  • Medical Professionals
    • Support to Families
      • Regulating Sleep
      • Food Selectivity
      • Toilet Training
      • Bowel Training
      • Mouthing Objects
      • Dental Exams
      • Neighborhood Safety
      • Adolescents Safety Skills
      • Review of Mortality in Autism Drowning
      • Review of Healthcare for Children on the Autism Spectrum
      • Preparing to Speak with a Doctor About Medication
      • Discussing Concerns with Family Members
    • Medical Research
      • Methylphenidate in PDD with Hyperactivity
      • Lack of Efficacy of Citalopram
      • Medication & Parent Training
      • Autism Treatment Reviews for Physicians
      • Review of The Complete Guide to Autism Treatments
      • Review of Do You Believe in Magic?
    • Autism Treatments
      • Biomedical Interventions
      • Psychological, Educational, & Therapeutic Interventions
      • Interventions Addressing Core Deficits
      • Developmental Interventions – Other Research Models
    • Practitioners Guidance
      • Early Detection & Intervention
      • Autism & Intellectual Disability
      • Recurrence of Autism in Families
      • Encouraging Parent Participation in Home-Based Intervention
      • Ethics & Evidence-based Practice
      • Transition Resources for Adolescents and Adults
      • Incorporating Occupational Therapy
  • Media
    • Overview
      • How Can We Help You?
      • FAQs for the Media
      • Contact Us
    • Resources
      • Questions to Ask Before Writing The Next Story
      • Fostering Positive Portrayals of Science-based Autism Treatment in the Media
      • Autism Treatment in the Media
    • Media Watch
      • About Media Watch
      • Archived Letters
    • Webinars
    • Shareable Images
  • About Us
    • What We Do
    • Mission
    • History
    • Accomplishments
    • Board of Directors
    • Science in Autism Treatment Publication Team
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    • Contact Us
  • Get Involved
    • Volunteering
    • Externship Program
    • Public Awareness
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    • Financial Support
    • Donor Wall
  • Research & Treatment
    • Resources
      • Topical Articles
      • Book & Resources Reviews
      • Research Synopses
      • Interviews
      • Perspectives
      • The Bookshelf
      • Applying Science to Education
      • Excellence in Special Education
      • Videos
      • Outside Resources
      • Evaluating Autism Research
    • Treatment
      • Clinical Corner
      • Learn More About Specific Treatments
      • Making Sense of Autism Treatments: Weighing the Evidence
    • Savvy Consumer
    • Conferences
  • Newsletter
    • Subscribe
    • Latest Issue
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    • Advertise with us

Learn More About Specific Treatments

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  2. For Parents and Educators
  3. Learn More About Specific Treatments
Treatments in Alphabetical Order
Making Sense of Autism Treatments: Weighing the Evidence

Recommendations of expert panels & government task forces

therapeutic-Interventions

Behavioral Interventions

What works

  • Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA)
  • Direct Instruction
  • Early Intensive Behavior Intervention (EIBI)
  • Functional Behavior Assessment (FBA)
  • Peer Modeling
  • Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS)
  • Positive Behavior Supports (PBS)
  • Self-Management
  • Sibling Training
  • Video Modeling
  • Visual Activity Schedules

What needs more research

  • Applied Verbal Behavior

  • LEAP Model

Psychological, Educational, and Therapeutic Interventions

What works

  • Ayres Sensory Integration

What needs more research

  • Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC)

  • Developmental Therapies

  • Developmental Interventions - other research models

  • Early Start Denver Model

  • Social Communication, Emotional Regulation, and Transactional Support (SCERTS)

  • Relationship Development Intervention (RDI)

  • Developmentally-based Individual-difference Relationship-based Intervention (DIR) Floor Time (Greenspan Method)

  • Lego-based Therapy

  • Music Therapy

  • Project TEACCH (Treatment and Education of Autistic and related Communication-handicapped Children)

  • Socialization related classes

  • Social Skills Groups

  • Social Stories

  • Recreational Sports/Exercise

  • Wilbarger Brushing Protocol

What doesn’t work or is untested

  • Animal Therapy

    • Dolphin Therapy

  • Art Therapy

  • Auditory Integration Therapy (AIT)

  • Bonding (Attachment) Therapies

  • Facilitated Communication

  • Glasses (see Vision Therapy)

  • Holding Therapy

  • Natural Language Acquisition Protocol for Gestalt Language Development

  • Oral-Motor Training/Therapy

  • Patterning

  • Psychoanalytic and Humanistic Play Therapy

  • Rapid Prompting Method (RPM)

  • Sensory-motor Therapies

  • Son-Rise Program® (Options)

  • Vision Therapy

  • Weighted Vests

Biomedical Interventions

What works

  • Selected Medications (some medications have research support)

What needs more research

  • Selected Medications (some medications need further study)

  • Special Diets

What doesn’t work or is untested

  • Anti-Fungal and Anti-Yeast Medication

  • Bleach Therapy

  • Cannabis and Marijuana

  • Chelation Therapy

  • Complementary Alternative Medicine

  • Craniosacral Therapy

  • Essential Oils

  • Fecal Microbial Transplantation

  • Herbs and Homeopathic Treatments

  • Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy

  • Iridology

  • Magnets

  • Neurofeedback Therapy

  • Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation

  • Secretin

  • Vitamin and Supplement Therapy

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Suggested Pages

    • What is autism?
      Get the facts
    • Heard about a treatment?
      Find out the scientific community’s view about it
    • Child newly diagnosed?
      See our packet for new parents
    • What does the research say?
      Read our research summaries
    • Want to understand how to weigh the evidence? Make sense of autism treatments
    • What do other professional groups have to say about specific treatments?
      Read task force findings
    • How do you tell the difference between something that works and something that doesn’t?
      Become a savvy consumer
    • Want to hear what leaders in the field of autism have to say?
      Read the interviews section
    • Question about specific issues?
      Ask a professional
  • Looking for a newsletter to keep you up to date?
    Read our latest newsletter

 

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