What Has Behavior Analysis Contributed to the Understanding and
Treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorders?
Tristram Smith, Ph.D., University of
Rochester Medical Center
Behavior analysts published the first data-based studies
documenting successful intervention for individuals with autism
spectrum disorders (ASD) and now conduct a majority of treatment
studies reported in the literature. Early research, beginning in
the 1960s, showed that even nonverbal individuals with ASD could
learn to communicate and that even severely aggressive individuals
could reduce their problem behavior when instructors systematically
used cueing and reinforcement procedures. This research contributed
to the re-conceptualization of ASD as a learning difficulty instead
of a form of schizophrenia and to legislation that promoted
deinstitutionalization and access to special education. The
research also demonstrated the importance of scientific treatment
studies with precise and objective data collection of specific
behaviors in natural environments. Subsequent applied behavior
analysis (ABA) studies documented learning styles characteristic of
many individuals with ASD and suggested that these styles may
represent one end of a continuum with typical development (ideas
central to current conceptualizations of ASD). Later, behavior
analysts described dramatic improvements as a result of early
intensive ABA that incorporated opportunities for inclusion in
regular education and active participation from caregivers and
peers. This finding led to policy changes that emphasized early
identification and treatment. Current challenges include
elucidating standards for best practices in ABA, evaluating the
effectiveness of large-scale, community-wide ABA programs, and
responding to the recent growth in research on treatments other
than ABA.
Dr. Tristram Smith is an assistant professor of pediatrics at
the University of Rochester Medical Center (URMC). He serves as the
research director for the Multisite Young Autism Project, which is
a federally-funded study on early, intensive behavioral
intervention based on the UCLA/Lovaas model for children with
autism. He is also an investigator in a study in the Center for
Studies to Advance Autism Research and Treatment at the University
of Rochester. He has authored or co-authored many of the most
widely-cited studies on treatment outcomes for individuals with
autism spectrum disorders.