1. The National Autism Center’s National Standards Report
Addressing the Need for Evidence-Based Practice Guidelines for Autism Spectrum Disorders

2. Purpose Identify the level of research support currently available
Help understand how to integrate critical information in making treatment decisions
Identify the limitations of existing treatment research

3. The Research 775 research studies were reviewed
Individuals with ASD under age 22
Published in peer reviewed journals prior to Fall 2007
Treatments could be implemented in school systems
Biomedical interventions excluded
Studies needed to have empirical data
Limited to research studies published in English

4. Scientific Merit Rating Scale
Developed to ensure that the results of the studies were reliable
Five Dimensions:
Research design
Dependent variable
Independent variable
Participant ascertainment
Generalization
Five point scale

5. Treatment Effects Ratings
Criteria were developed to determine if treatment had:
Beneficial treatment effect
Unknown treatment effect
Ineffective treatment effect
Adverse treatment effect

6. Strength of Evidence Classification System
Established- Sufficient evidence that these treatments produce beneficial effects for individuals with ASD
Emerging- one or more studies shows beneficial treatment effects, but additional high quality studies are needed
Unestablished- little or no evidence about treatment effectiveness
Ineffective/Harmful- Sufficient evidence exists to show treatment is ineffective or harmful

7. Outcomes 11 Established Treatments 22 Emerging Treatments
5 Unestablished Treatments

8. Outcomes
Two thirds of the established treatments were developed from behavioral literature
Less than 10% of the Established Treatments came from theory of mind perspective
The pattern of findings suggests that treatments from the behavioral literature have the strongest research support

9. Established Treatments
Antecedent Package
Behavior Package
Comprehensive Behavioral Treatment for Young Children
Joint Attention Training
Modeling

10. Established Treatments
Naturalistic Teaching Strategies
Peer Training Package
Pivotal Response Treatment
Schedules
Self-management
Story-based Intervention Package

11. Emerging Treatments Augmentative & Alternative Communication Device
Cognitive Behavioral Intervention Package
Developmental Relationship-based Treatment
Exercise
Exposure Package
Imitation-based Interaction
Initiation Training
Language Training (Production)
Language Training ( Production & Understanding)
Massage/Touch Therapy
Multi-component Package

12. Emerging Treatments Music Therapy
Peer-mediated Instructional Arrangement
Picture Exchange Communication System
Reductive Package
Scripting
Sign Instruction
Social Communication Intervention
Social Skills Package
Structured Teaching
Technology-based Treatment
Theory of Mind Training

13. Unestablished Treatments
Academic Interventions
Auditory Integration Training
Facilitated Communication
Gluten-and Casein-Free Diet
Sensory Integrative Package
Effectiveness is unknown, due to lack of research

14. Ineffective/Harmful Treatments
No treatments identified based on the research
Research generally stops, once it is shown that the treatment is harmful or does not work

16. Treatment Selection Established Treatments Give serious consideration
These treatments will not universally produce favorable outcomes for all individuals with ASD
Emerging Treatments
Don’t begin with these treatments
Give serious consideration, if established treatments are not appropriate

17. Treatment Selection
National Standards Report did not address level of intensity needed for effectiveness
In interim, follow recommendation of National Research Council for children less than 8 years old

18. To obtain a copy of the report go to: http://www. nationalautismcenter