ASAT - Association for Science in Autism Treatment

05/27/2026

Upcoming issues of Science in Autism Treatment will include a, Clinical Corner articles on quality of life and pillars of high quality ABA, a book review of “Make It Meaningful”, a few research synopses on early intervention, specialized diets, and gastronomy tube fading, treatment summaries on therapeutic diets, Leucovorin, and Behavior Skills Training, and so much more!

In the meantime, the last issue of Science in Autism Treatment can be found here: https://mailchi.mp/asatonline/science-in-autism-treatment_2026_05

Don’t miss out, subscribe here for free: www.asatonline.org/newsletter/

05/26/2026

In the upcoming webinar, explore how effective collaboration across allied disciplines strengthens professional practice in autism intervention and leads to better outcomes for individuals and families. This session will dive into what meaningful collaboration truly looks like, common barriers that can impact teamwork, and the key skills practitioners need for successful team-based intervention. We’ll also discuss practical models for interdisciplinary care, along with strategies for teaching, training, and evaluating collaboration in real-world settings. Click below to learn more and register!

Read more at: https://bds.com/collaboration-skills-understanding-the-relevance-and-building-the-repertoire-webinar

The May 2026 issue of Science in Autism Treatment can be found here: https://mailchi.mp/asatonline/science-in-autism-treatment_2026_05

Not yet a subscriber? Sign up here for free: www.asatonline.org/newsletter/

05/25/2026

Today, here in the United States, we honor and remember the brave individuals who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country. Their courage, dedication, and selflessness have helped protect the freedoms we hold dear, and their legacy lives on in the lives they touched and the nation they served.
On this Memorial Day, we pause to reflect with gratitude and remembrance. We also extend our appreciation to the families who carry their memory forward each day. Wishing everyone a meaningful and reflective Memorial Day from all of us at ASAT.

05/25/2026

Families deserve clear, accurate, and evidence-based information when considering supports and interventions for autistic children.

In our newest media corner article, we highlight important considerations regarding low-level laser therapy (LLLT) for autism, including:
• the currently limited evidence base,
• the lack of established long-term safety data,
• and the importance of distinguishing between experimental and evidence-based interventions.

While emerging therapies can understandably generate hope, it is essential that families are supported to make informed decisions grounded in science, safety, and ethical practice. Premature promotion of unproven approaches risks diverting time, energy, and financial resources away from supports with stronger evidence of effectiveness.

Evidence-informed and person-centred care matters, and so does accessible public education about what we currently know (and don’t yet know) from research.

Dear Kaumudi Online News Editorial Team: Thank you for your January 6th article, Autism and low-level laser therapy: What is it? by Joseph Sunny Kunnacherry. This article provides an informative look at low-level laser therapy (LLLT). Informing caregivers and potential clients about treatment option...

05/24/2026

We would like to thank Behavior Development Solutions for their sponsorship renewal at the Benefactor level.

Want to pass the BCBA exam the first time? Check out the CBA learning modules at Behavior Development Solutions. BDS boasts a 98.5% pass rate for first time exam takers and a money back guarantee. Module subscriber who fail to pass the exam on the first attempt who have completed all required learning modules sets to criterion (100% correct) within the 6 months preceding your exam may request a full refund. In addition to the most effective BCBA exam prep, BDS offers professional development (CEUs), courses needed to become a supervisor, and RBT training.

For more information about BDS, visit their website www.bds.com, follow them on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/behaviordevelopmentsolutions, and LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/behavior-development-solutions/ and signup for their newsletter to receive monthly job openings, CE opportunities, conference/workshop announcements, products/services, and other ABA related content.

Behavior Development Solutions, your tremendous support is deeply appreciated and allows us to keep science at the forefront of every conversation about autism treatment.

From BCBA & RBT Training + Exam Prep to Live Webinars & On-Demand CEUs, BDS has tools for behavior analysts in-training & Board-certified

05/24/2026

We would like to thank the Association of Professional Behavior Analysts for their support of ASAT at the Champion level!
The Association of Professional Behavior Analysts (APBA) is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to promote and advance the science-based practice of applied behavior analysis. There are many benefits to membership in the APBA including monthly Ethics Chats, panel discussion of ethical issues in behavioral analysis, a monthly Journal Club that highlights peer-reviewed journal articles presented by the authors. Attendance and CEUs are free to members. The APBA host at least 10 webinars per year and members receive a 25% discount for all webinars.
APBA hosts several conferences each year. The Leadership Conference is virtual, and recording are available for 6 months. APBA’s Annual Conference is held each spring and is hybrid. Members can purchase on demand talks here.

For more information about the Association of Professional Behavior Analysts, visit www.apbahome.net and like on Facebook at www.apbahome.net

Association of Professional Behavior Analysts, thank you for your generous support!

If you would like to learn more about the benefits of becoming an ASAT sponsor, please visit: https://asatonline.org/professional-sponsors/

The Association of Professional Behavior Analysts (APBA) is a 501(c)(6) nonprofit organization whose mission is to promote and advance the science-based practice of applied behavior analysis.

05/24/2026

We would like to thank Melmark for their sponsorship of ASAT at the Sustaining level! Today we highlight Melmark New England.

In May of 2023, Melmark New England opened a new day school in Stoughton, Massachusetts, which specializes in working with students with autism or neurologically based disorders, intellectual or developmental disabilities, acquired brain injury, or who demonstrate challenging behavior that impedes learning and independent functioning. Guided by a leadership team possessing decades of clinical and educational experience, the school is founded on the principles of ABA and offers programs specifically designed to meet the needs of learners. Related service (speech/language, occupational, & physical therapy) are provided along with family training and support.

For more information about Melmark New England, visit https://www.melmark.org/newengland/, like on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/MelmarkNewEngland, and follow on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/company/melmarknewengland/

Melmark New England, thank you again for your ongoing, generous support.

Melmark New England programs provide residential, educational, and rehabilitative services for children, adolescents, and adults diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders, intellectual disabilities, and developmental disabilities. The individuals we serve are able to participate in community outings....

05/23/2026

In this piece, originally written for the Association for Behavior Analysis International (ABAI) Something Interesting blog, Kimberly Marshall, PhD, BCBA-D discussed the challenges of communicating with consumers about pseudoscientific information and shares strategies that we use here at ASAT, and that practitioners might consider when explaining the dangers of pseudoscientific treatments and trying to persuade consumers against their use.

Read more at: https://asatonline.org/for-parents/parents-share-their-stories/steer-away-from-pseudoscientific-treatments/

The May 2026 issue of Science in Autism Treatment can be found here: https://mailchi.mp/asatonline/science-in-autism-treatment_2026_05

Not yet a subscriber? Sign up here for free: www.asatonline.org/newsletter/

Recommendations for practitioners when sharing information about pseudoscientific treatments with consumers.

05/23/2026

Starting in August 2024, the Science Corner began a series of articles with an aim of demystifying critical aspects of research. ASAT began with articles describing factors that pertain to internal validity, or the extent to which the study can prove a relation between the intervention and its reported outcomes. This series was supported by the efforts of many talented authors giving their time and creative input. To make these pieces more easily accessible, Sarah E. Frampton, PhD, BCBA-D and Dr. David Celiberti PhD, BCBA-D created this summary of the pieces and linked all the contributions in one article. ASAT hopes it serves as an enduring resource for caregivers, educators, students, and researchers.

Read more at: https://asatonline.org/for-parents/becoming-a-savvy-consumer/science-corner-trust-results/

The May 2026 issue of Science in Autism Treatment can be found here: https://mailchi.mp/asatonline/science-in-autism-treatment_2026_05

Not yet a subscriber? Sign up here for free: www.asatonline.org/newsletter/

Science Corner series explains internal and external validity, offering a clear, accessible research guide for educators, caregivers, and students.

05/22/2026

Evaluating autism research is a vital part of being an informed advocate, yet the technical language found in research studies can often feel like a barrier to understanding. To help readers navigate the scientific literature with confidence, Kate McKenna, MEd, MSEd, MS, BCBA, Kimberly Marshall, PhD, BCBA-D, and Videsha Marya, PhD, BCBA-D have developed a new glossary of research terms. This resource aims to break down academic jargon and provide clear, accessible definitions of research terminology. ASAT is also hard at work translating both ABA and Research glossaries into multiple languages to ensure these essential tools are accessible to our global community.

Read the full review here: https://asatonline.org/autism-glossary/

The complete May 2026 issue of Science in Autism Treatment can be found here: https://mailchi.mp/asatonline/science-in-autism-treatment_2026_05

Not yet a subscriber? Subscribe here for free: www.asatonline.org/newsletter/

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05/19/2026

In the latest installment of Is There Science Behind That?, Kassidy Ashbeck, MS, Elizabeth Hardesty, MA, BCBA, and Thomas Zane, PhD, BCBA-D look into the research on hippotherapy. During hippotherapy, people with autism and other disabilities ride horses to improve balance and posture. Hippotherapy organizations and websites assert that the horse’s movement leads to these improvements, and that the therapy can also lead to other advances, including in following directions and social skills. Unfortunately, these claims appear to be premature, as there is limited high-quality research on hippotherapy showing these effects. Read the full article to learn more about what we do and don’t know about hippotherapy.

Read more at: https://asatonline.org/research-treatment/resources/topical-articles/hippotherapy-2026/

The complete May 2026 issue of Science in Autism Treatment can be found here: https://mailchi.mp/asatonline/science-in-autism-treatment_2026_05

Not yet a subscriber? Subscribe here for free: www.asatonline.org/newsletter/