How to Systematically Evaluate Treatments for Autism That Lack an Evidence Base

Abstract: With over 400 treatments for autism, behavior analysts are sometimes placed in a position where they must monitor the effects of alternative or ancillary treatments that lack an evidence base. Behavior analysts must be mindful about how they evaluate treatments that lack an evidence base in order to determine whether or not they produce desired outcomes. This presentation will provide an overview of research methods to evaluate such treatments and will highlight notable research studies that evaluated questionable treatments (e.g., weighted vests and sensory integration) for individuals with autism.