Our NEW and much anticipated report on Evidence-Based Practices is complete and ready for you. View Report >

2020 Evidence-Based Practices Report

Evidence-Based Practices for Children, Youth, and Young Adults with Autism
Our new report synthesizes intervention research published between 1990 and 2017. Check out our findings here.

Autism Focused Intervention Resources and Modules

The Autism Focused Intervention Resources and Modules (AFIRM) are a free online tool designed to ensure that practitioners and families can USE these practices once they are identified through the review.

Why a Clearinghouse?

Identifying evidence-based practices is important for the field and provides guidance and support for many, including:

What is evidence based practice?

An evidence-based practice is an instructional/intervention procedure or set of procedures for which researchers have provided an acceptable level of research that shows the practice produces positive outcomes for children, youth, and/or adults with ASD.

The above definition refers to specific practices such as prompting, reinforcement, social stories, or visual supports. In the English language, we think of these as nouns. These practices would appear in the lower right circle of the figure below.

One can also view evidence-based practice as a process of action. In the English language, we can think of this as a verb. This definition is more aligned with the original concept that arose from the evidence-based medicine movement. That is:

"Evidence-based medicine (EBM) requires the integration of the best research evidence with our clinical expertise and our patient's unique values and circumstances."
-- David Sackett, 1996

Note that this approach gives equal emphasis to:

  • the unique factors regarding a particular patient or population
  • the wishes and values of the patient
  • the best evidence available from the research, and the clinical expertise of the practitioner

(used with permission from University of South Florida Library Site-- http://guides.lib.usf.edu/ebp )

Individuals on the autism spectrum and their families.
Identification of evidence-based practices (or EBPs) allows individuals and families to better advocate for the best possible support and education based on current research.

Educators and practitioners in schools and the community.
Identification of EBPs allows educators and practitioners to select the appropriate interventions based on the age, needs, and outcomes of those they serve.

Researchers.
Identification of EBPs allows researchers to better understand and identify research gaps and plan for future studies.

Advocacy groups and policy makers.
Identification of EBPs allows advocates and policy makers to make informed decisions about practices and policies that will benefit individuals on the autism spectrum.

Health care providers and insurance companies.
Identification of EBPs allows health care providers and insurance companies to appropriately identify a range of EBPs that can be provided, funded, and/or reimbursed for individuals across the spectrum and their families.

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