Interventions for Autism Spectrum Disorders: State of the Evidence
Citation
Beaulieu, A., Tweed, L.,& Connolly, N. (2009, October). Interventions for Autism Spectrum Disorders: State of the evidence. (A collaboration of the Maine Department of Health and Human Services & the Maine Department of Education.). Augusta, ME: Muskie School of Public Service and the Maine Department of Health and Humans Services.
Abstract
In response to a growing need for information on evidence-based treatments for Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), the Maine Department of Education and the Maine Health and Humans Services led a partnership of stakeholders in a systematic review of the latest research on treatment for ASD. Using a validated rubic, the committee objectively reviewed over 150 studies of 43 different treatments for children with ASD. The quality of each study was carefully evaluated using a set of primary and secondary quality indicators and factored into the determination of the following levels of evidence:
Established Evidence; Promising Evidence: Preliminary Evidence; Studied and No Evidence of Effect; Insufficient Evidence; and Evidence of Harm.
Based on its investigation of the research literature, the Committee concludes the following:The research clearly indicates that there are effective treatments for some core deficits and related challenges of ASD.
Substantial investment in quality research is needed to further define effective treatment for ASD.
Research specific to educational and behavioral interventions for children with ASD in the context of schools is seriously lacking.
Comparative research on the efficacy of various treatment models would be very valuable.
There is a dearth of research on treatment of older youth, adolescents, and adults with ASD.
Families should be informed consumers of treatment and ask questions of providers about the nature and quality of the research behind the treatment their child is receiving.
Providers need to make treatment decisions in active partnership with families while integrating relevant research into their practice and treatment planning process.
Resources are needed to build capacity throughout Maine in order to efficiently and effectively deliver evidence-based treatments to children in their schools, homes, and communities. This requires resources for training, evaluation, and workforce development.
Based on its investigation of the research literature, the Committee concludes the following:
Publication Type
Report
Internal Authors
External Authors
Tweed, Lindsey;
Connolly, Nancy
Published on
2009-10-26
Publisher
Muskie School and Maine Department of Health and Human Services
URL
Notes
A collaboration of the Maine Department of Health and Human Services & the Maine Department of Education.Project Leads: Lindsey Tweed, Children's Behavioral Health Services, Maine Department of Health and Human Services; Nancy Conolly, Special Services Team, Maine Department of Education. Prepared by Amy Beaulieu, Cutler Institute for Health and Social Policy, Muskie School, USM. Funding for this document is through Cooperative Agreement #CA-CF-1031 between the State of Maine, Department of Health and Human Services, and the University of Southern Maine. If you need this publication in an alternative format, please contact the Muskie School at 207.626.5200.
