The Critical Importance of Science-Based Treatments for
Autism
Richard Foxx, Ph.D., BCBA, Pennsylvania
State University
The education and treatment of individuals with autism often
involves the application of non-scientifically-based practices.
This is tragic given that a scientifically-based treatment such as
Applied Behavior Analysis has been used for over 40 years in almost
fifteen hundred studies to educate and treat individuals of all
ages with autism. This presentation will cover a number of topics
including: science, anti-science, and pseudoscience and the
characteristics of fad treatments, dubious or controversial
treatments, pseudoscientific practices, and politically correct
treatments. A number of "classic fads" will be highlighted
including facilitated communication. Why people are susceptible to
using bogus treatments will be examined. The presentation concludes
with a discussion of the factors to consider in assessing the
quality of an educational program for a child with autism. These
factors include alarm words and phrases, poorly trained staff,
characteristics of effective programs, good teacher behaviors, and
characteristics of parents whose children have success.
Dr. Foxx is a Professor of Psychology at Penn State Harrisburg
and Clinical Adjunct Professor of Pediatrics at the College of
Medicine of the Pennsylvania State University. He has written seven
books, written over 130 scientific articles, and made 13 training
films. He has given over 1700 talks and workshops. Dr. Foxx is an
internationally recognized expert in treating behavioral problems.
He has lectured in 11 foreign countries and 47 states. He is the
Editor-in-Chief of Behavioral Interventions and is on the
editorial board of five scientific journals. Dr. Foxx is a Fellow
in five divisions of the American Psychological Association, the
American Psychological Society, and the American Association on
Mental Retardation. He was the President of the Association for
Behavior Analysis and the Division of Mental Retardation and
Developmental Disabilities of the American Psychological
Association. He has served as an expert witness in a number of
court cases involving individuals with autism and developmental
disabilities. One of his books, Toilet Training in Less Than a
Day, has sold over two million copies and has been translated
into seven languages and one of his training films, "Harry" (the
treatment of a self-abusive man), has won numerous cinematic
awards.