New Research on Evidence-Based Autism Therapies: What Parents Should Know

A 2021 study from the University of North Carolina reviewed which therapies actually work for autistic children, youth, and young adults. This wasn't just one small experiment - it was a major analysis combining findings from many studies to identify the most effective approaches.

What Did Researchers Find?

The team examined therapies across different age groups and skill areas (like communication, social skills, and behavior). While the full details require reading the complete paper, their review helps separate therapies with strong scientific support from those that need more research.

Why This Matters for Autism Families

With so many therapy options advertised to parents, this research provides clarity about which approaches have real evidence behind them. Knowing what actually works can help families:

• Make better-informed decisions about therapies
• Focus time and resources on approaches most likely to help
• Ask more informed questions when evaluating programs

Important Limitations

While comprehensive, this type of review has limitations:

• It summarizes existing research - not all therapies have been studied equally
• What works for one child might not work for another
• Therapies need to be matched to individual needs and strengths

For parents wanting to dig deeper, we recommend reading the full open-access study published in the Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders:

Evidence-Based Practices for Children, Youth, and Young Adults with Autism: Third Generation Review (Published January 15, 2021)