The Association for Science in Autism Treatment (ASAT) is an American nonprofit organization whose stated goal is to "promote safe, effective, science-based treatments" for autistic people.[3] Its primary focus is to promote most forms of applied behavior analysis (ABA). ASAT was founded by parent advocate Catherine Maurice in 1998 and is currently based in Hoboken, New Jersey.[4][5]
| Abbreviation | ASAT |
|---|---|
| Formation | 1998 |
| Founder | Catherine Maurice |
| Type | 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization[1] |
| 13-4022546[1] | |
| Purpose | Disseminating information about science-based autism treatment and combating misinformation |
| Location | |
| David Celiberti[2] | |
| |
| Revenue | $92,086[1] (2023) |
| Expenses | $98,366[1] (2023) |
| Website | asatonline |
Views
editAs of 2025, ASAT does not consider any forms of treatment or support related to autism to be fully scientifically validated, except for most forms of ABA and some prescription medications. ASAT considers some forms of ABA, such as the Early Start Denver Model and applied verbal behavior, not fully proven. It has also classified the ABA-based Picture Exchange Communication System as the only fully proven form of augmentative and alternative communication for autistic people.[6] The majority of ASAT's corporate officers and board members are ABA practitioners or work in the field of ABA in some other capacity.[2]
ASAT has warned against chelation therapy as an autism treatment, noting that two children have been reported to have died as a result of this therapy, and concluding that "there is not enough scientific evidence available at this time to advocate a role for chelation of heavy metals in the treatment of autism, and there is potential for adverse side effects."[7] They take a similar viewpoint with regard to the use of secretin.[8] Treatments they consider to be unproven, rather than disproven, include homeopathy[9] and animal therapy.[10]
Criticism
editASAT was criticized in 1999 by Bernard Rimland, who contended that ABA is not as effective as ASAT claims and called their position on autism treatments "nonsensical and counterfactual".[11] ASAT responded by saying that, in recent years, the Autism Research Review International, where Rimland had published his article, had displayed "a consistent pattern of premature and uncritical promotion of treatment 'breakthroughs' in the absence of credible research support", including facilitated communication.[12]
References
edit- ^ a b c d "Form 990EZ: Short Form Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax". The Association for Science in Autism Treatment. Internal Revenue Service. December 31, 2023.
- ^ a b c "Board of Directors". Association for Science in Autism Treatment. Retrieved 2025-08-17.
- ^ "Mission". Association for Science in Autism Treatment. Retrieved 2025-08-17.
- ^ "Contact Us—Association for Science in Autism Treatment". Archived from the original on 2013-10-12. Retrieved 2013-10-20.
- ^ Maurice, C.; Mannion, K.; Letso, S.; Perry, L. (2001). "Parent voices: Difficulty in accessing behavioral intervention for autism; working toward solutions". Behavioral Interventions. 16 (3): 147. doi:10.1002/bin.89.
- ^ "Learn More About Specific Treatments". Association for Science in Autism Treatment. Retrieved 2025-08-17.
- ^ "Chelation Therapy—Association for Science in Autism Treatment". Archived from the original on 2013-10-29. Retrieved 2013-10-20.
- ^ "Secretin—Association for Science in Autism Treatment". Archived from the original on 2013-10-29. Retrieved 2013-10-20.
- ^ Herbs and Homeopathic Treatments Archived October 29, 2013, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Animal therapy Archived October 25, 2013, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "The ABA Controversy" (PDF). Autism.com. Archived from the original (PDF) on 15 January 2010. Retrieved 17 August 2025.
- ^ ASAT Board of Directors (1999). "ASAT Supports Proven Treatments and Informed Choice". ASAT. Archived from the original on 30 October 2013. Retrieved 17 August 2025.