National Autism Center Completes Most Comprehensive Review of Autism
Interventions Identifies Established Interventions for Children, Adolescents,
and Adults on the Autism Spectrum
Randolph, Mass. – Researchers at the National Autism Center at May
Institute today released the results of the largest systematic review to date
of interventions for autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Their findings identify 14
“Established Interventions” for children and adolescents that have the most
research support, produce beneficial outcomes, and are known to be effective,
and one Established Intervention for adults on the autism spectrum.
“The National Standards Project is an ongoing effort designed to give
educators, families, practitioners, and organizations the information and
resources they need to make informed choices about effective interventions that
will offer individuals with ASD the greatest hope for their futures,” said
Hanna C. Rue, Ph.D., BCBA-D. Dr. Rue serves as Executive Director of the
National Autism Center, May Institute’s Center for the Promotion of
Evidence-based Practice.
Leading the way in the field of adult intervention, this latest iteration
of the National Standards Project also included an analysis of intervention
outcome studies for adults (ages 22 and older) that have never been
systematically evaluated before now.
The one intervention determined to be
effective for adults, and nearly all of those classified as effective for
children and adolescents, are behaviorally based, meaning they are grounded in
the methodologies of applied behavior analysis, behavioral psychology, and
positive behavior support.
In spite of the burgeoning population of adults with ASD, there is little
empirical research to guide intervention for this population. The overwhelming
majority of research studies to date focus on interventions for children and
adolescents.
“Because of the dearth of research on adult interventions, only 27
studies focused on adults with ASD met our inclusion criteria,” said Dr. Rue.
“Although we are pleased to be able to identify one Established Intervention,
these results draw attention to the dire need for further research in this area.
“Children with autism grow up to be adults with autism; they will
require effective interventions throughout their lifetimes to ensure they reach
and maintain their maximum potential,” Dr. Rue added.
The National Standards Project is the only systematic review of ASD
interventions for individuals across the lifespan based on behavioral and
educational studies. Through a rigorous process utilizing tools and strategies
designed and vetted by a team of national experts, the Project’s goal was to
analyze the research that was conducted and the impact on participants, and to
determine the strength and scientific rigor of that research. The results will
help to inform decisions about interventions, or treatments, for ASD.
The report released today, Findings and Conclusions: National Standards
Project, Phase 2, updated the Center’s first summary of the ASD intervention
literature for children and youth under age 22. Phase 1 of the project was
published in 2009. The combined the results of Phases 1 and 2 have produced the
largest compilation of studies ever reviewed.
Nationally recognized experts in autism, as well as other leaders
representing diverse fields of study, were involved in both phases of the
National Standards Project and guided the process of evaluation. Dozens of
article reviewers analyzed 1,165 studies related to interventions for ASD
throughout both phases of the project. The interventions were subsequently
categorized as 1) Established, and producing beneficial outcomes known to be
effective; 2) Emerging, with some evidence of effectiveness, but still
requiring more research, and 3) Unestablished, and having little or no evidence
of effectiveness.
This new report identifies three interventions for individuals under age
22 that were identified as Emerging in 2009 and have now garnered enough
scientific evidence of effectiveness to be moved into the Established category.
During the past five years, the National Autism Center has disseminated
the results of the first phase of the National Standards Project to hundreds of
thousands of individuals throughout the country and around the world through
the publication of the National Standards Report.
The National Autism Center is May Institute’s Center for the Promotion of Evidence-based Practice. It is a nonprofit organization dedicated to serving children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) by providing reliable information, promoting best practices, and offering comprehensive resources for families, practitioners, and communities. For more information about the National Autism Center, please visit www.nationalautismcenter.org.
May Institute is an award-winning nonprofit organization with 60 years of
experience in serving children and adults with autism spectrum disorder and
other developmental disabilities, brain injury, mental illness, and behavioral
health needs. The organization provides educational, rehabilitative, and
behavioral healthcare services to individuals, as well as training and
consultation services to professionals, organizations, and public school
systems. At more than 160 service locations across the country, highly trained
staff work to create new and more effective ways to meet the special needs of
individuals and families across the lifespan. Learn more at
www.mayinstitute.org.
