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Connecting Community and Science to Heal Autism

Scientific Evidence Research on Autism

Scientists and therapists are working tirelessly to determine which therapies are most effective for the treatment of autism. They present their research findings at scientific meetings and in peer-reviewed scientific journals. Each published scientific article begins with a short abstract that summarizes the important points of the paper. The abstracts are designed so that other scientists in the field can quickly understand and build upon each individual scientific finding.

Here you will find lay abstracts of these scientific publications. They are designed so that you can also quickly understand the basic points of each research article and the implications for your own child's care. At the end of each lay summary you will find a link to the original scientific abstract. If you go to the scientific abstract, you may also find a link to the original publication. Sometimes the publications can be obtained for free and sometimes they must be purchased.

Many talented people understand that autism is an important issue that affects many families. As they work to optimize therapies and find a cure, they will be publishing their research as quickly as they can. The lay summaries allow you to understand the research and apply it to your child as quickly as you can.

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page last updated 01/05/2009

Most Recent Research

Control of Psychomotor Agitation and Aggressive Behavior in Patients with Autistic Disorder: A Retrospective Chart Review Novaes, C.; Ponde, M.; Freire, A. , Arq Neuropsiquiatr, Volume 66, Issue 3B, p. 646-651, (2008) Layperson Summary
Social Interaction and Repetitive Motor Behaviors Loftin, R.; Odom, S.; Lantz, J. , J Autism Dev Disorder, Volume 38, Issue 6, p.1124-1135, (2008) Layperson Summary
Acquisition of Internal Models of Motor Tasks in Children with Autism GidleyLarson, J.; Bastian, A.; Donchin, O.; Shadmehr, R.; Mostofsk, S. , Brain, Volume 131, Issue Pt 11, p.2894-2903, (2008) Layperson Summary
LEGO® Therapy and the Social Use of Language Programme: An Evaluation of Two Social Skills Interventions for Children with High Functioning Autism and Asperger Syndrome Owens, G.; Granader, Y.; Humphrey, A.; BaronCohen, S. , J Autism Dev Disorder, Volume 38, Issue 10, p.1944-1957, (2008) Layperson Summary
Life Begins on an Ant Farm for Two Patients with Asperger’s Syndrome Topel, E.; Lachmann, F. , Psychoanalytic Psychology, Volume 25, Issue 4, p.602-617, (2008) Layperson Summary
Information Source Affects Peers’ Initial Attitudes Toward Autism Morton, J.; Campbell, J. , Research in Developmental Disabilities, Volume 29, Issue 3, p.189-201, (2008) Layperson Summary
The Caries Experience and Behavior of Dental Patients with Autism Spectrum Disorder Lee, C.; Graham, R.; Hughes, C. , Journal of the American Dental Association, Volume 139, Issue 11, p.1518-1524, (2008) Layperson Summary
Early Intervention for Children with Autism: Methodologies Critique Tews, L. , Developmental Disabilities Bulletin, Volume 35, Issue 1, p.148-168, (2007) Layperson Summary
Integrating the Nurturer-Trainer Roles: Parental and Behavior/Symptom Management Processes for Mothers of Children with Autism Tsai, W.; Tsai, J.; Shyu, Y. , Social Science and Medicine, Volume 67, Issue 11, p.1798-1806, (2008) Layperson Summary
The Things We Care to See: The Effects of Rotated Protocol Immersion on the Emergence of Early Observing Responses Keohane, D.; Luke, N.; Greer, R. , The Journal of Earl and Intensive Behavior Intervention, Volume 5, Issue 1, p.23-39, (2008) Layperson Summary
Replacing Overt Verbal and Gestural Prompts with Unobtrusive Covert Tactile Prompting for Students with Autism Anson, H.; Todd, J.; Cassaretto, K. , Behavior Research Methods, Volume 40, Issue 4, p.1106-1110, (2008) Layperson Summary
Autism Spectrum Disorders: Etiology and Pharmacotherapy Mohammedi, M.; Akhondzadeh, S. , Current Drug Therapy, Volume 2, p.97-103, (2007) Layperson Summary
Treatment Approaches for Self-Injurious Behavior in Individuals with Autism: Behavioral and Pharmacological Methods Mahatmya, D.; Zobel, A.; Valdovinos, M. , Journal of Early and Intensive Behavioral Intervention, Volume 5, Issue 1, p.106-118, (2008) Layperson Summary
Is There a Relationship Between Restricted, Repetitive, Stereotyped Behaviors and Interests and Abnormal Sensory Response in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders? Gabriels, R.; Agnew, J.; Miller, L.; Gralla, J.; Pan, Z.; Goldson, E.; Ledbetter, J.; Dinkins, J.; Hooks, E. , Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, Volume 2, p.660-670, (2008) Layperson Summary
Parental Attitudes Regarding Behavior Guidance of Dental Patients with Autism Marshall, J.; Sheller, B.; Manic, L.; Williams, B. , Pediatric Dentistry, Volume 30, Issue 5, p.400-407, (2008) Layperson Summary
Optimum Treatment of Problem Behaviors in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders autism, a.t. , Mental Health Aspects of Developmental Disabilities, Volume 10, Issue 1, p.1-5, (2007) Layperson Summary
Vitamin B6, Magnesium, and Combined B6-Mg: Therapeutic Effects in Childhood Autism Martineau, J.; Barthelemy, C.; Garreau, B.; Lelord, G. , Biol Psychiatry, Volume 20, Issue 5, p.467-478, (1985) Layperson Summary
Scientifically Unsupported Therapies in the Treatment of Young Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders Schechtman, M. , Pediatric Annals, Volume 36, Issue 8, p.497-505, (2007) Layperson Summary
Mirror Neuron System Based Therapy for Emotional Disorders Yuan, T.; Hoff, R. , Medical Hypotheses, Volume 71, Issue 5, p.722-726, (2008) Layperson Summary
Coping Mechanisms of Parents of Children Recently Diagnosed with Autism in Taiwan: A Qualitative Study Lin, C.; Tsai, Y.; Chang, H. , Journal of Clinical Nursing, Volume 17, Issue 20, p.2733-2740, (2008) Layperson Summary
Further Evaluation of a Brief, Intensive Teacher-Training Model Lerman, D.; Tetreault, A.; Hovanetz, A.; Strobel, M.; Garro, J. , Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, Volume 41, Issue 2, p.243-248, (2008) Layperson Summary
Effectiveness of Intensive Behavioral Intervention in a Large, Community-Based Program Perry, A.; Cummings, A.; Geier, J.; Freeman, N.; Hughes, S.; LaRose, L.; Managhan, T.; Reitzel, J.; Williams, J. , Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, Volume 2, Issue 4, p.621-642, (2008) Layperson Summary
The Analysis and Treatment of Problem Behavior Evoked by Auditory Stimulation Devlin, S.; Healy, O.; Leader, G.; Reed, P. , Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, Volume 2, Issue 4, p.671-680, (2008) Layperson Summary
A Comparison of Flexible Prompt Fading and Constant Time Delay for Five Children with Autism Soluaga, D.; Leaf, J.; Taubman, M.; McEachin, J.; Leaf, R. , Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, Volume 2, Issue 4, p.753-765, (2008) Layperson Summary
Parents’ Involvement in the Children’s Behavioral Intervention Programs: Parent and Therapist Perspectives Solish, A.; Perry, A. , Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, Volume 2, p.728-738, (2008) Layperson Summary
Effect of Propranolol on Verbal Problem Solving in Autism Spectrum Disorder Beversdorf, D.; Carpenter, A.; Miller, R.; Cios, J.; Hillier, A. , Neurocase, Volume 14, Issue 4, p.378-383, (2008) Layperson Summary
A Parent-Focused Early Intervention Program for Autism: Who Gets Access? Birkin, C.; Anderson, A.; Seymour, F.; Moore, D. , Journal of Intellectual and Developmental Disability, Volume 33, Issue 2, p.108-116, (2008) Layperson Summary
Interventions to Improve Communication in Autism Paul, R. , Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Clinics of North America, Volume 17, Issue 4, p.835-856, (2008) Layperson Summary
Role of Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids in the Management of Egyptian Children with Autism Meguid, N.; Atta, H.; Gouda, A.; Khalil, R. , Clinical Biochemistry, Volume 41, Issue 3, p.1044-1048, (2008) Layperson Summary
A National Sample of Preschoolers with Autism Spectrum Disorders: Special Education Services and Parent Satisfaction Bitterman, A.; Daley, T.; Misra, S.; Carlson, E.; Markowitz, J. , J Autism Dev Disord, Volume 38, Issue 8, p.1509-1517, (2008) Layperson Summary
Principals’ Attitudes Regarding Inclusion of Children with Autism in Pennsylvania Public Schools Horrocks, J.; White, G.; Roberts, L. , J Autism Dev Disord, Volume 38, Issue 8, p.1462-1473, (2008) Layperson Summary
Excessive Daytime Sleep: Behavioral Assessment and Intervention in a Child with Autism Friedman, A.; Luiselli, J. , Behavior Modification, Volume 32, Issue 4, p.548-555, (2008) Layperson Summary
Outcomes of a Pilot Training Program in a Qigong Massage Intervention for Children with Autism Silva, L.; Ayres, R.; Schalock, M. , The American Journal of Occupational Therapy, Volume 62, Issue 5, p.538-546, (2008) Layperson Summary
You Can Know Me if You Listen: Sensory, Motor, and Communication Issues in a Nonverbal Person with Autism Shoener, R.; Kinnealey, M.; Koenig, K. , The American Journal of Occupational Therapy, Volume 62, Issue 5, p.547-553, (2008) Layperson Summary
Evidence-Based Review of Interventions for Autism Used in or of Relevance to Occupational Therapy CaseSmith, J.; Arbesman, M. , The American Journal of Occupational Therapy, Volume 62, Issue 4, p.416-429, (2008) Layperson Summary
States Increasingly Mandate Special Autism Services Reinke, T. , Managed Care, Volume 17, Issue 8, p.35-36, (2008) Layperson Summary
Delayed Respiratory Depression after Accidental Risperidone Overdose Satish, H.; Payne, H.; Potter, F.; Nunn, A.; Brodbelt, K. , Paediatric and Perinatal Drug Therapy, Volume 8, Issue 4, p.154-156, (2008) Layperson Summary
Behavioral Effects of Omega-3 Fatty Acid Supplementation in Young Adults with Severe Autism: An Open Label Study Politi, P.; Cena, H.; Comelli, M.; Marrone, G.; Allegri, C.; Emanuele, E.; UcellidiNemi, S. , Archives of Medical Research, Volume 39, Issue 7, p.682-685, (2008) Layperson Summary
Inherited Metabolic Diseases in Neurodevelopmental and Neurobehavioral Disorders Kayser, M. , Seminars in Pediatric Neurology, Volume 15, Issue 3, p.127-131, (2008) Layperson Summary
State of the Science in the Assessment and Management of Severe Behavior Problems in School Settings: Behavior Analytic Consultation to Schools Mueller, M.; Nkosi, A. , International Journal of Behavioral Consultation and Therapy, Volume 3, Issue 2, p.176-202, (2007) Layperson Summary
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy in Thai Autistic Children Chungpaibulpatana, J.; Sumpatanarax, T.; Thadakul, N.; Chantharatreerat, C.; Konkaew, M.; Aroonlimsawas, M. , J Med Assoc Thai, Volume 91, Issue 8, p.1232-1237, (2008) Layperson Summary
Behavior Analyst Use of and Beliefs in Treatments for People with Autism Schreck, K.; Mazur, A. , Behavioral Interventions, Volume 23, p.201-212, (2008) Layperson Summary
Behavioral Assessment and Treatment of Anxiety in Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities and Autism Hagopian, L.; Jennett, H. , J Dev Phys Disabil, Volume 20, Issue 5, p.467-483, (2008) Layperson Summary
Comparing Number Lines and Touch Points to Teach Addition Facts to Students with Autism Cihak, D.; Foust, J. , Focus on Autism and Other Developmental Disabilities, Volume 23, Issue 3, p.131-137, (2008) Layperson Summary
Physiology-Based Affect Recognition for Computer-Assisted Intervention of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder Liu, C.; Conn, K.; Sarka, N.; Stone, W. , International Journal of Human-Computer Studies, Volume 66, Issue 9, p.662-677, (2008) Layperson Summary
Asperger’s Syndrome: From Hiding to Thriving Weber, K. , The Nurse Practitioner, Volume 33, Issue 7, p.15-21, (2008) Layperson Summary
Enhancing Social and Transition Behaviors of Persons with Autism through Activity Schedules: A Review Banda, D.; Grimmet, E. , Education and Training in Developmental Disabilities, Volume 43, Issue 3, p.324-333, (2008) Layperson Summary
Recent Advances in Autism Spectrum Disorders Charles, J.; Carpenter, L.; Jenner, W.; Nicholas, J. , International Journal of Psychiatry in Medicine, Volume 38, Issue 2, p.133-140, (2008) Layperson Summary
Guanfacine in Children with Autism and/or Intellectual Disabilities Haden, B.; Sahl, R.; Hardan, A. , Journal of Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics, Volume 29, Issue 4, p.303-308, (2008) Layperson Summary
A Review of Recent Reports on Autism: 1000 Studies Published in 2007 Hughes, J. , Epilepsy & Behavior, Volume 13, Issue 3, p.425-437, (2008) Layperson Summary
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