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Evolution of research on interventions for individuals with autism spectrum disorder: Implications for behavior analysts

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Abstract

The extraordinary success of behavior-analytic interventions for individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has fueled the rapid growth of behavior analysis as a profession. One reason for this success is that for many years behavior analysts were virtually alone in conducting programmatic ASD intervention research. However, that era has ended. Many investigators from other disciplines are now carrying out large-scale intervention studies and beginning to report successes of their own. The increasing number and range of studies has the potential to improve services for individuals with ASD, and it challenges behavior analysts to intensify their research efforts.

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  1. Division of Neurodevelopmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, Department of Pediatrics, University of Rochester Medical Center, 601 Elmwood Ave., Box 671, Rochester, New York, 14642, USA

    Tristram Smith

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I thank Dan Mruzek for reviewing a draft of this manuscript.

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Smith, T. Evolution of research on interventions for individuals with autism spectrum disorder: Implications for behavior analysts. BEHAV ANALYST 35, 101–113 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03392269

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