Becoming Good Consumers of Information

W HAT ARE WE LOOKING FOR ? Most current research Scientific information about autism Autism training and evidence based interventions to Improve skills Resources for professionals and families

W HAT I S AN E VIDENCE -B ASED P RACTICE ? blends the best available evidence with input from families and professional expertise to provide students with effective instruction, efficient use of time and resources and increased parent, teacher and student satisfaction.

“IN SPECIAL EDUCATION, MANY ISSUES ARE COMPLEX: THE TYPE OF DISABILITY, THE SETTING THE STUDENT IS IN, THE CONTENT WE TEACH, THE AVAILABLE SUPPORTS,” Rachelle Bruno, Chairperson of CEC’s Evidence-Based Practice Workgroup

EVIDENCED BASED PRACTICE (EBP)  EBP is not just reading articles Decision-making process Stresses accountability Differentiates between bad and good information.

Evaluate Evidence Define the Question Gather Data Monitor Progress Implement Decision Search for Evidence

S O, YOU HAVE A QUESTION IN MIND ….. N OW W HAT ?

HAVE YOU EVER USED THE INTERNET TO SEARCH FOR INFORMATION ON AUTISM?

Are you skeptical of the information you found?

F ROM AN ARTICLE ON I NFORMATION L ITERACY “It has been well documented that professionals in many health professions turn to Internet search engines to answer clinical questions” Barbara J. Nail-Chiwetal and Nan Bernstein Ratner

Guess who’s behind the website?

Motherlandnigeria.com

The Clinical Use of Transfer Factor and Glyconutrients in Children with Autistic Spectrum Disorders In a landmark study, Dr. H. H. Fudenberg, M.D. found that of 22 Autistic children, 21 improved significantly and 10 were considered to be recovered and mainstreamed in their schools following Transfer Factor treatment.

“ What is not likely to show up on a Google-type search of most clinically relevant questions: peer-reviewed research, the core information used in establishing sound evidence-based diagnostic and therapeutic recommendations. Barbara J. Nail-Chiwetal and Nan Bernstein Ratner

Such research, primarily contained in our professional journals and texts, is held under copyright and is rarely available for free download in Internet searches.” Barbara J. Nail-Chiwetal and Nan Bernstein Ratner

RATING WEBSITES Guides users through a systematic review of online information Provides objective criteria for evaluation

EVALUATING WEB SITES Review for: AUTHORITY and ACCURACY PURPOSE CONTENT CURRENT or DATED INFORMATION DESIGN, ORGANIZATION and EASE OF USE

Science, Pseudoscience and Antiscience “Pseudoscience tries to lend credibility to beliefs, speculations, and untested assumptions by making them appear scientific — for example, by using scientific jargon, endorsements from individuals with “scientific” credentials, perhaps even some numbers or graphs.” “Instead of objective measurements from well- controlled experiments, pseudoscientists offer testimonials, anecdotes, and unverified personal reports to back up their claims.“ -Gina Green, Ph.D. and Lora Perry, M.S.

Autism Research Review International (ARRI) But a review of the past few years of Autism Research Review International (ARRI) reveals a consistent pattern of premature and uncritical promotion of treatment “ breakthroughs” in the absence of credible research support.

H OW TO B ECOME AN A UTISM E XPERT ml

What could be an attempt to lend credibility to this website?

Questions that demonstrate Healthy Skepticism Exactly what is this treatment supposed to do? Did the effects carry over beyond the immediate treatment setting? Are there any negative effects? Is there another scientifically validated treatment that is similarly effective but has fewer negative side effects?

M ORE Q UESTIONS …. Who will administer the treatment? Are they qualified to do so? How will the effects of the treatment be evaluated? What will happen if we do nothing? What is not known or said matters too!

LET’S PRACTICE

WORKSHOPS AND CONFERENCES Use the same approach for workshops and conferences Some conferences utilize a rigorous peer review process prior to acceptance while others are solely to promote a treatment or product

SOURCES FOR PEER REVIEWED RESEARCH Journal of Positive Behavioral Interventions CEC Smart Brief Language Speech and Hearing in the Schools (LSHSS) Journal of Speech and Language Research (JSHR) Current Issues in Education Focus on Autism and Other Developmental Disabilities Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis Education and Training in Developmental Disabilities For more go to

REFLECTION What strategy have you used to insure you are a good consumer of evidence ? What is one strategy you will try in the future? What strategies will you share with others for being a good consumer of evidence on internet sites?

S OME F AVORITE W EBSITES National Professional Development Center on Autism Spectrum Disorder based-practices based-practices National Autism Center First Signs

Technical Assistance Center on Social Emotional Intervention families.htm families.htm Autism Speaks Autism Society of America, society.orghttp:// society.org Others?????