What is Evidence-Based Treatment for Autism Spectrum Disorder?
What is The National Standards Project?
The National Standards Project is a comprehensive initiative aimed at improving the quality of education across the United States. Through the development and implementation of standardized guidelines, the project seeks to bridge achievement gaps, promote equity, and ensure that all students receive a well-rounded education. This blog article will provide an overview of the National Standards Project, its significance, and the impact it has had on education nationwide.
With the prevalence of Autism on the rise over the past 20 years, finding interventions that are proven effective and safe for individuals with autism is critical to ensure the best quality of life for individuals. Evidence-based practices are peer reviewed, meaning others have reviewed the results and deemed the approaches as effective; essentially the interventions have been produced in a controlled environment and have elicited the same or similar outcomes. There are countless interventions claiming to provide the next quick fix or “cure” for autism, however, many of them are unreliable and often disguised as snake oil. Due to this, evidence-based practices have become the industry standard across the medical, educational, mental health fields. Parents, educators, and treatment providers are constantly having to distinguish between effective interventions and conflicting information that claims to provide effective treatment with little to no evidence.
The National Standards Project was started by the National Autism Center at the May Institute and was designed to provide critical information on what interventions have been proven effective with autism spectrum diagnosis. It was launched in 2005 with the first publication in 2009 (Phase 1) and a second publication released in 2015. A third publication is currently in the works with a publication date still pending.
Phase 1
Prior to the National Standards Project there were very few studies and or cumulative reports or resources that assisted in distinguishing the best available treatments for autism based on outcomes. Phase 1 of the National Standards Project targeted educational and behavioral intervention literature that specifically targeted the core deficits of autism. The literature review covered studies and research conducted from 1957 through the fall of 2007, totaling 775 research articles. It broke down intervention effectiveness based on age, intervention targets, and diagnostic groups. The literature was reviewed by a group of cross-discipline professionals and was presented to parents for feedback as well. This initial phase now allowed stakeholders such as parents and educational professionals to access nearly 50 years of research in one report to determine what interventions are most effective and by what age for individuals on the autism spectrum. This initial phase did limit the age of intervention to under the age of 22 and exposed limitations to the current research available.
Phase 2
After significant feedback regarding Phase 2, the National Autism Center began the next phase in 2011 to allow for expansion to include another 389 studies expanding across fall of 2007 through February of 2012. It also updated the effectiveness of interventions for individuals with autism under the age of 22 and also added practices that were used with individuals older than the age of 22.
Phase 3
Phase 3 is currently in the works to expand the information and knowledge regarding effective interventions for individuals with autism across the entire lifespan. It will also provide updated information on the previous phases and include research through 2018.
What is the best Treatment for Autism?
To best align with the targeted objective of the study and to ensure ease of comprehension for parents and educators alike, the panel of professionals reviewing the research articles divided the studies into different levels based on their scientific evidence of effectiveness. The 4 categories and descriptions are:
“Established Interventions” which included Research in this area showed favorable outcomes across multiple age groups, diagnosis groups, and behavioral components.
Below are all interventions deemed as Established for individuals under 22 years of age:
Behavioral Interventions
Cognitive Behavioral Intervention Package
Comprehensive Behavioral Treatment for Young Children
Language Training (Production)
Modeling
Natural Teaching Strategies
Parent Training
Peer Training Package
Pivotal Response Training
Schedules
Scripting
Self-management
Social Skills Package
Story-based Intervention
“Emerging Interventions” were those that had one or more studies suggest favorable outcomes but concluded that more high-quality studies need to take place.
Below are all interventions deemed as Emerging for individuals under 22 years of age:
Augmentative and Alternative Communication Devices
Developmental Relationship-based Treatment
Exercise
Exposure Package
Functional Communication Training
Imitation-based Intervention
Initiation Training
Language Training (Production & Understanding)
Massage Therapy
Multi-component Package
Music Therapy
Picture Exchange Communication System
Reductive Package
Sign Instruction
Social Communication Intervention
Structured Teaching
Technology-based Intervention
Theory of Mind Training
“Unestablished Interventions” were studies that had little to no evidence in scientific literature that allows for a firm conclusion to be drawn on the effectiveness for individuals on the autism spectrum.
Below are all interventions deemed as Unestablished for individuals under 22 years of age:
Animal-assisted Therapy
Auditory Integration Training
Concept Mapping
DIR/Floor Time
Facilitated Communication
Gluten-free/Casein-free diet
Movement-based Intervention
SENSE Theatre Intervention
Sensory Intervention Package
Shock Therapy
Social Behavioral Learning Strategy
Social Cognition Intervention
Social Thinking Intervention
“Ineffective/Harmful Interventions” are those that are just that. Studies that in well controlled environments offered ineffective or harmful outcomes.
At this time no interventions have been deemed Ineffective or Harmful.
The most important factor to consider while dealing with autism deficiencies is effective therapy. The National Standards Project analyzes decades of research and evaluates treatments to give parents and educators access to the best quality interventions on available.
To access more information regarding the National Standards Project or to download additional resources like the Educators Guidebook or the Parent Guidebook simply go to: http://nationalautismcenter.org/resources/
