Association for Science in Autism Treatment explained

Association for Science in Autism Treatment
Abbreviation:ASAT
Formation:1998
Founder:Catherine Maurice (co-founder)
Type:not-for-profit organization
Purpose:Disseminating information about science-based autism treatment and combatting misinformation
Location:Hoboken, New Jersey
Region Served:Global
Membership:Over 12,000 subscribers
Leader Title:President
Num Staff:1
Num Volunteers:50+

The Association for Science in Autism Treatment (ASAT) is a non-profit organization devoted to autism. It was founded in 1998 and is currently based in Hoboken, New Jersey.[1] [2] Members of its advisory board include Eric Fombonne and Stephen Barrett,[3] Tristam Smith was one of its board members until his death in August 2018.[4] A report by the Association for Behavior Analysis International mentioned ASAT's website as a useful resource for parents of children with autism,[5] as does the website of the University of North Texas[6] and that of the University of Michigan Health System.[7]

Views

ASAT has warned against chelation therapy as an autism treatment, noting that two children have been reported to have died as a result of this therapy, and concluding that "there is not enough scientific evidence available at this time to advocate a role for chelation of heavy metals in the treatment of autism, and there is potential for adverse side effects."[8] They take a similar viewpoint with regard to the use of secretin.[9] Treatments they consider to be unproven, rather than disproven, include homeopathy[10] and animal therapy.[11] Published research related to the hundreds of autism treatments are provided on ASAT's website.

Criticism

ASAT was criticized in 1999 by Bernard Rimland, who contended that applied behavior analysis is not as effective as ASAT claims and called their position on autism treatments "nonsensical and counterfactual".[12] ASAT responded by saying that, in recent years, the Autism Research Review International, where Rimland had published his article, had displayed "a consistent pattern of premature and uncritical promotion of treatment 'breakthroughs' in the absence of credible research support," including facilitated communication.[13]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Contact Us—Association for Science in Autism Treatment . 2013-10-20 . https://web.archive.org/web/20131012002407/http://asatonline.org/contact . 2013-10-12 . dead .
  2. Maurice . C. . Mannion . K. . Letso . S. . Perry . L. . Parent voices: Difficulty in accessing behavioral intervention for autism; working toward solutions . 10.1002/bin.89 . Behavioral Interventions . 16 . 3 . 147 . 2001 .
  3. Web site: Board of Directors. Asatonline.org. 31 May 2019. 31 May 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190531235810/https://asatonline.org/board-of-directors-2/. dead.
  4. http://www.outreach.psu.edu/programs/autism/presenter/bridget-taylor Bridget A. Taylor
  5. Web site: Consumer Guidelines for Identifying, Selecting, and Evaluating Behavior Analysts Working with Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders. Rci.rutgers.edu. 31 May 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20160304044828/http://www.rci.rutgers.edu/~joshmil/aba_guidelines_draft3.pdf. 4 March 2016. dead.
  6. Web site: Behavior Analysis - College of Health and Public Service. Behv.hps.unt.edu. 31 May 2019.
  7. Web site: Autism, Autistic Spectrum Disorders (ASD) and Pervasive Developmental Disorders (PDD): Your Child: University of Michigan Health System. Med.umich.edu. 31 May 2019.
  8. Web site: Chelation Therapy—Association for Science in Autism Treatment . 2013-10-20 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20131029184851/http://www.asatonline.org/treatment/treatments/chelation.htm . 2013-10-29 .
  9. Web site: Secretin—Association for Science in Autism Treatment . 2013-10-20 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20131029191913/http://www.asatonline.org/treatment/treatments/secretin.htm . 2013-10-29 .
  10. http://www.asatonline.org/treatment/treatments/herbs.htm Herbs and Homeopathic Treatments
  11. http://www.asatonline.org/treatment/treatments/animal.htm Animal therapy
  12. Web site: The ABA Controversy. Autism.com. 31 May 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20181015043737/https://www.autism.com/ari/newsletter/133/page3.pdf. 15 October 2018. dead.
  13. Web site: ASAT Supports Proven Treatments and Informed Choice . ASAT . 1999 . 20 October 2013 . ASAT Board of Directors . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20131030214134/http://www.asatonline.org/treatment/articles/informedchoice . 30 October 2013 .

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