A selective review of treatments for children with autism: Description andmethodological considerations

Autism is a developmental disorder whose behavioral characteristics range o n a continuum from mild to severe. Autism is typically not diagnosed prior to age 2 to 3 years and the prognosis for this pervasive developmental diso rder is poor. Although there is no documented "cure" for autism, research s uggests that it can be managed effectively using comprehensive behavioral a nd educational treatment programs. This article reviews and critiques sever al of the most visible and most frequently cited treatment programs for chi ldren with autism: the UCLA Young Autism Project, Project TEACCH, LEAP, app lied behavior analysis programs, and the Denver Health Science Program. Tre atment programs having little or no empirical support such as facilitated c ommunication, auditory integration therapy, and sensory integration therapy also are briefly reviewed. We evaluate the empirical evidence for the effi cacy and effectiveness of these programs using conventional standards of re search design and methodology and the Division 12 Task Force on Empirically Supported Treatments for Childhood Disorders of the American Psychological Association. Based on these Task Force criteria, there are no well-establi shed or probably efficacious treatments for autism, although virtually all programs show substantial developmental gains, particularly in measured IQ. Recommendations for future research and practice are offered with guidelin es for evaluating treatment programs for children with autism.