After 6 years of analysis, the NAC report was released (National Autism Center) which is a summary of research on therapy for children, adolescents and adults with autism. Its overarching goal is to identify those forms of therapy with the greatest effectiveness based on sound scientific evidence.

The researchers emphasize that unlike the 2009 report, this time the analysis also included additional therapeutic interventions for adults. Those interventions that have the greatest research support and are realistically available in real-world settings were selected. The analysis included 389 research studies from 2007-2012 on therapeutic interventions for people with holistic developmental disorders (ASD).

Like the previous report, the current one divided the forms of therapy used into three groups: established (14), promising (18 ) and unestablished(13).

Established therapeutic methods are those whose effectiveness has been confirmed by correct research and whose positive effects we can be sure of.

These include behavioral therapy including behavioral packages and behavioral therapy for young children, cognitive-behavioral therapy, modeling, natural learning models, key skills training, activity plans, training to teach self-control, and scripts.

It is noteworthy that this analysis includes language skills training, parenting training and social skills training, scripts among established therapeutic methods. The previous report did not include these forms of interventions as established methods. These are forms of therapy known from the previous report to be promising.

The group of promising therapies in the current study includes: alternative and assistive communication, relationship-based therapy, exposure packages, structured teaching, language training (resource and comprehension), interventions based on new technology, therapies based on Theory of Mind Training, PECS, music therapy, and massage.

The third group that emerged is the unestablished therapies, that is, so far they have not been shown to have a beneficial therapeutic effect in working with people with ASD. According to the report's authors, it should not be assumed that these interventions are effective because they have been shown enough in studies to make a conclusion about their effects.

However, it cannot be said that these interventions are ineffective or harmful.

These include, as in the previous report, auditory training, the facilitated communication method, gluten- and casein-free diets, sensory integration, and additionally: animal therapies, auditory training, mapping, movement-based therapeutic interventions, social-behavioral, social-cognitive strategies, Floortime Therapy (DIR), sensory interventions or electroconvulsive therapies.

When conducting therapy for a person with ASD, it is necessary to keep in mind the results of the presented report and direct the interactions in such a way as to make the fullest possible use of the established methods with the possible addition of promising methods. Such interactions are most likely to bring optimal results in improving functioning. Forms of therapy categorized as non-established methods should be used with particular caution. Undoubtedly, it is necessary to conduct further research in this area as well as to systematically update and disseminate the results obtained.

Elaborated:

Dr. Ewa Barasinska-Tarka, M.D. Dr. n. med. Ewa Barasinska-Tarka, specialist in psychiatry, cognitive-behavioral therapist for adult children and adolescents. At the JiM therapy center, she deals with autism diagnosis and selection of therapy methods for children. She previously worked at the Central Clinical Hospital of the Medical University of Lodz, Babinski Hospital, among others.

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NAC is an organization focused on promoting evidence-based treatments for people with autism. Through NAC reports, national standards for effective treatment of children and adolescents with ASD in the United States are being developed.