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While to date, no cure has been found for autism, research has demonstrated that there are numerous interventions which do effectively target the core symptoms. Evidence indicates that early intervention is critical and many educational/behavioral interventions have been shown to be effective for individuals under the age of 22, as reported by the National Autism Center's 2009 National Standards Report. The chart below summarizes their findings.
National Autism Center. (2009). National Standards Report. Retrieved October 1, 2010 from http://www.nationalautismcenter.org/pdf/NAC%20NSP%20Report_FIN.pdf
Guidelines for Evidence Levels:
Established. Sufficient evidence is available to confidently determine that a treatment produces beneficial treatment effects for individuals on the autism spectrum. That is, these treatments are established as effective.
Emerging. Although one or more studies suggest that a treatment produces beneficial treatment effects for individuals with ASD, additional high quality studies must consistently show this outcome before we can draw firm conclusions about treatment effectiveness.
Unestablished. There is little or no evidence to allow us to draw firm conclusions about treatment effectiveness with individuals with ASD. Additional research may show the treatment to be effective, ineffective, or harmful.
Ineffective/Harmful. Sufficient evidence is available to determine that a treatment is ineffective or harmful for individuals on the autism spectrum.
Treatments for Autism
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Ages
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ESTABLISHED TREATMENTS
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0-2
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3-5
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6-9
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10-14
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15-18
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19-21
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Antecedent Package (99 studies)
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x
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x
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x
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x
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Behavior Package (231 studies)
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x
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x
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x
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x
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x
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x
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Comprehensive Behavior Package (22 studies)
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x
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x
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x
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Joint Attention Intervention (6 studies)
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x
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x
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Modeling (50 studies)
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x
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x
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x
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x
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Naturalistic Teaching Strategies (32 studies)
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x
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x
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x
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Peer Training Package (33 studies)
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x
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x
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x
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Pivotal Response Treatment (14 studies)
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x
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x
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Schedules (12 studies)
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x
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x
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x
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Self-management (21 studies)
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x
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x
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x
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x
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Story-based Intervention Package (21 studies)
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x
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x
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Ages
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EMERGING TREATMENTS
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0-2
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3-5
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6-9
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10-14
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15-18
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19-21
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Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) Device (14 studies)
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x
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x
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Cognitive Behavioral Intervention Package
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x
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x
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x
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Developmental Relationship-based Treatment (7 studies)
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x
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x
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Exercise (4 studies)
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x
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x
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x
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Exposure Package (4 studies)
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x
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Imitation-based Interaction (6 studies)
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x
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x
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x
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x
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Initiation Training (7 studies)
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x
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x
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Language Training (Production) (13 studies)
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x
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x
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Language Training (Production & Understanding) (7 studies)
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x
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x
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Massage/Touch Therapy (2 studies)
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x
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Multi-component Package (10 studies)
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x
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x
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x
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Music Therapy (6 studies)
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Peer-mediated Instructional Arrangement (11 studies)
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x
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Picture Exchange Communication System (13 studies)
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x
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x
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x
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Reduction Package (33 studies)
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Scripting (6 studies)
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x
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x
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Sign Instruction (11 studies)
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x
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x
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Social Communication Intervention (5 studies)
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x
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x
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Social Skills Package (16 studies)
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x
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x
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x
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x
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Structured Teaching (4 studies)
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x
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x
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x
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x
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x
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Technology-based Treatment (19 studies)
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x
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x
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Theory of Mind Training (4 studies)
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x
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x
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UNESTABLISHED TREATMENTS
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Research has been conducted on these five treatments. However, the quality, quantity, and consistency of research findings have generally been poor or do not apply to individuals with ASD, so we cannot be confident about what the effects of treatment might be.
There are likely many more treatments that fall into this category. That is, there are many treatments for which no research has been conducted or, if studies have been published, the accepted process for publishing scientific work was not followed. There are a growing number of treatments that have not yet been investigated scientifically. These would all be Unestablished Treatments. Further, any treatments for which studies were published exclusively in non-peer-reviewed journals would be Unestablished Treatments.
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Academic Interventions
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Auditory Integration Training
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Facilitated Communication
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Gluten- and Casein-Free Diet
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Sensory Integrative Package
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Click here to read additional information about these treatments.
Read the National Autism Center’s entire report on treatments.
Visit the Association for Science in Autism Treatment to learn more about evidence-based interventions.
CLICK HERE FOR RESOURCES IN YOUR AREA
References:
Autism Spectrum Disorders: Treatment. (2010). Retrieved October 1, 2010, from
Early Intervention is Key to Educating Children with Autism. (2001). Retrieved October 1, 2010 from
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