How can parents determine which treatment options are best for their child? If using multiple treatments how can I know which treatment is helping?
This is a very common dilemma, as treatment options abound and claims of success are rampant. Parents are faced with extremely difficult choices about which treatments to pursue and about how to coordinate different treatment approaches. The variability in how ASDs present and the range of outcomes possible with intervention make it difficult for parents to evaluate treatment claims. Parents, understandably, are also reluctant to dismiss a claim of effectiveness, even in the absence of supporting data. They wonder, “What if this turns out to be an important treatment and I didn’t do it?” Yet, every treatment requires resources, including the most precious resource of time. Time spent in ineffective intervention is also time lost to effective intervention. This is especially relevant for young learners, considering the importance of early effective intervention. Most families have limited financial resources as well, and need to decide what therapies to invest in, given the likelihood o
