What You Should Know About the National Standards Project
Are you familiar with the National Standards Project?
The National Standards Project is an initiative that was launched in 2009 by the National Autism Center, which is the May Institute’s Center for the Promotion of Evidence-Based Practice.1
The goal: figure out the most optimal practices for effectively treating individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), using an evidence-based approach to hone in on the types of interventions and therapies that will be most helpful.2
This initiative is a response of a longstanding need to come to a wider consensus on the best ways to treat ASD. For parents, educators, caregivers, and service providers who interact with those on the autism spectrum, it means a better understanding of what approach to treatment will be most effective and why. And for individuals with ASD, it means improved access to quality care—and ideally, a quicker journey from diagnosis to meaningful therapy.
Clearly such a big undertaking—especially one using an evidence-based approach—is going to take some time. Here’s what you should know about the various phases of the National Standards Project, including what’s been accomplished so far and what’s next on the horizon.
Finding the Best Autism Treatments and Therapies
There is no such thing as one size fits all when it comes to autism treatments and therapies. What the National Standards Project hopes to accomplish, however, is figuring out what types of interventions offer the most promise, which will in turn allow people who care for those with ASD to make more informed decisions about how to approach care.
To do this, the initiative has enacted three distinct phases:
Phase 1, which was released in 2009, examined research on therapies that “target the core characteristics of ASD in children, adolescents, and young adults (below 22 years of age).”2 This included a review of all academic literature on the topic published between 1957 and 2007, with ongoing input from parents and professionals who live and work with children with ASD.3
Phase 2 was released in 2015 and shifted the research to individuals with ASD aged 22 and older. It also included more recent research across the board, with a review of literature published between 2007 and February 2012.4
Together, Phase 1 and Phase 2 served as perhaps the most comprehensive review of ASD treatment studies ever performed. And overwhelmingly, the research showed empirical support for behaviorally-based ASD treatments, with a number of the most effective strategies for children and adolescents with ASD also proving useful for adults on the spectrum.5
Phase 3 of the National Standards Project is currently due for release this spring.6 The purpose of this third phrase was to extrapolate and summarize key findings from the extensive research already performed, as well as to extend research to the more recent literature published through 2018.
What is the Most Effective Treatment for Autism?
This brings us back to the major question underlying the National Standards Project—and the major question underlying all ASD therapy: what is the most effective therapeutic approach, and why?
What the current findings of the initiative tell us is that there is strong reason to believe that ABA therapy and other behaviorally based approaches are by far the best way to produce meaningful and lasting change in the lives of both children and adults with ASD. While there are various types of therapies within this subset of care, focusing on established, evidence-based therapies represents the most efficient way of offering treatment. And, based on literature extending back more than 60 years, the most optimal results as well.
Our team at Autism Specialty Group is committed to offering the latest evidence-based therapeutic services for children with ASD. We also offer resources for caretakers, including training courses. Please contact us if you would like to learn more or are interested in scheduling an appointment with a member of our team.
References:
- https://www.autismdiagnostics.com/assets/Resources/NSP2.pdf
- https://www.nationalautismcenter.org/national-standards-project/
- https://www.nationalautismcenter.org/national-standards-project/history/
- https://www.nationalautismcenter.org/national-standards-project/phase-2/
- https://www.nationalautismcenter.org/national-standards-project/phase-2/significant-findings/
- https://www.nationalautismcenter.org/phase-3/