About the Association for Science and Autism Treatment (ASAT)

The PPP SIG recognizes that the vast array of "proposed treatments" for autism can be both overwhelming and confusing for consumers. Sadly, there is not a shared commitment to empirical validation, research, and data based decision making amongst providers. Using science-based treatment methods provides individuals with autism with the best opportunity for success based upon decades of published research.

Fortunately, one organization in particular, the Association for Science and Autism Treatment (ASAT) strives to be an important resource for individuals with autism, family members, professionals, and paraprofessionals, in fact, for anyone interested in reliable, science-based and accurate information about autism and its treatments. Founded in 1998, the mission of the ASAT is to disseminate accurate, scientifically sound information about treatments for autism and to improve access to effective, science-based treatments for all people with autism, regardless of age, severity of condition, income or place of residence. An organization with such a mission is needed at this time given the scores of unsubstantiated treatments and the plethora of other organizations with other agendas.

For more information please visit ASAT's website at www.asatonline.org. On the website, you will find extensive information about the scientific support (or lack thereof) behind the full array of treatments proposed for autism, research reviews, articles and guidelines on how to make informed choices and weigh evidence in selecting treatment options, a Help Desk, information about upcoming conferences of interest, and links to helpful sites and other science based organizations. We encourage you to return to ASAT's website as information about autism treatments is frequently updated.

 

About the Association for Professional Behavior Analysts (APBA)

The Parent Professional Partnership SIG has been excited by the increasing numbers of credentialed behavior analysts poised to address the wide gap between supply and demand for services. Nonetheless, it is critical that behavior analysts have adequate opportunities to participate in professional organizations whose focus is to support their needs for resources, guidance, and support. The Association of Professional Behavior Analysts (APBA) is a new nonprofit professional organization with a bold and noble mission which includes, but is not limited to: providing resources and educational opportunities to BACB credentialed professional behavior analysts; working with federal, state, governmental, and third party entities towards enhancing recognition; providing resources to professionals in other fields and to consumers interested in learning more about behavior analytic services; supporting improvements in and access to services provided by BACB credentialed professional behavior analysts; and promoting public understanding of the professional practice of behavior analysis. The Parent Professional Partnership SIG is very excited about the creation of this new organization as the APBA is striving to provide support and guidance in areas that have not been fulfilled by other organizations.

The APBA will work closely with the BACB and ABAI as well as other organizations associated with the field of behavior analysis and other related fields. It is important to keep in mind that APBA was created in late 2007 so it may take time for all of their objectives to be initiated. In the near future, this organization intends to publish an electronic newsletter, establish an affiliation program for state, provincial, regional and national behavior analysis organizations, plan a national convention, develop resources for state and provincial organizations, and address policy legislative, regulatory, funding and public relations issues at a national level. On their website, www.apbahome.net, you will find details about APBA's purpose, ethical guidelines and upcoming events.

We are very grateful that the ABPA has endorsed the Consumer Guidelines put forth by the Autism SIG as we feel it is critically important that consumers be given the tools needed to make the best possible choices among providers. For more information about this professional organization, please visit their website frequently as new content will likely be added in the months to come.