ASAT - Association for Science in Autism Treatment

09/17/2026

Make It Meaningful, authored by Drs. Peter Gerhardt and Shanna Bahry, provides a comprehensive framework for developing goals and educational and behavioral programs that prioritize meaningful outcomes across the lifespan. In this review, the book’s four sections are examined, addressing what to teach, how to teach meaningful skills, how to develop and evaluate meaningful goals, and how to assess and sustain program quality. Particular attention is given to the authors’ emphasis on individualization, long-term planning, quality of life, social validity, and the importance of considering how skills we teach at earlier stages translate to meaningful outcomes in adulthood. The review also highlights the surveys, interviews, and other practical tools provided throughout the book and considers their relevance for educators, behavior analysts, and multidisciplinary teams working to develop programs that are both evidence-based and responsive to the needs, preferences, and future goals of autistic individuals. Whether you are a newly credentialed professional or a seasoned provider, this book is a must-read!

Read more at: https://asatonline.org/research-treatment/book-reviews/review-of-make-it-meaningful/

The September 2026 issue of Science in Autism Treatment can be found here: https://mailchi.mp/asatonline/science-in-autism-treatment_2026_09

09/17/2026

📣 New from ASAT’s Media Corner

ASAT’s latest Media Corner letter responds to a CBS News Philadelphia segment exploring how Applied Behavior Analysis can support autistic children and their families.

We appreciate the segment’s focus on evidence-based intervention, including the use of behavioural strategies to support communication, independence, and other meaningful skills. The letter also highlights the importance of helping families distinguish scientifically supported interventions from treatments that lack a solid evidence base.

Thank you to CBS News Philadelphia and reporter Stephanie Stahl for bringing attention to evidence-based autism intervention and sharing the experiences of families navigating assessment and support!

Read the full Media Corner letter to learn more 👇

September 17th, 2026 Dear CBS News Philadelphia, We are writing in response to your video “How Applied Behavior Analysis, the Gold Standard of Autism Therapy, Works” by Stephanie Stahl. We were pleased to see you highlight ABA as a scientifically supported intervention. We also appreciate the vi...

09/15/2026

In this sixth in a series of articles about disciplines of members represented on treatment teams, Molly Joyce-Trainor, MEd, MSEd, MS, BCBA, Director of the AIMS Program in New York City, and Kate McKenna, MEd, MSEd, MS, BCBA, provide readers with a history of special education and the many roles special educators take on in their work. The authors describe the education and training teachers receive, as well as the ethical guidelines under which they practice. This article is helpful to anyone wanting to learn more about special education.

Read more at: https://asatonline.org/for-parents/becoming-a-savvy-consumer/focus-on-the-treatment-team-special-education/

The September 2026 issue of Science in Autism Treatment can be found here: https://mailchi.mp/asatonline/science-in-autism-treatment_2026_09

Not yet a subscriber? Sign up here for free: www.asatonline.org/newsletter/

Special education history, teacher training, professional roles, and ethicalguidelines for educators supporting students with autism and special needs.

09/14/2026

By fostering purposeful interactions for students to learn from each other, teachers can encourage meaningful exchanges between students with autism and their peers. In this edition of Clinical Corner, Mira Wellington, MA, BCBA, and Maithri Sivaraman, PhD, BCBA, discuss the research and evidence behind peer tutoring, the benefits of peer tutoring for students with and without autism, and best practices for arranging dyads for peer tutoring in the classroom setting. ASAT hopes this article provides a useful outline for how teachers can utilize peer tutoring in their own settings.

Read the full review here: https://asatonline.org/research-treatment/clinical-corner/peer-tutoring/

The complete September 2026 issue of Science in Autism Treatment can be found here: https://mailchi.mp/asatonline/science-in-autism-treatment_2026_09

Not yet a subscriber? Subscribe here for free: www.asatonline.org/newsletter/

09/13/2026

We would like to thank Milestones Behavioral Services for their sponsorship of ASAT at the Alliance level!

Milestones has two school campuses for students ages 3-22, both located in Connecticut. The Wolf Harbor campus, in Milford, CT, serves students ages 3-22 who demonstrate a wide range of academic, social, communication, and daily living skills.
This campus is also home to the Transition to Adulthood program for students ages 18-22 with special needs that focuses on individualized experiences and instruction in community and/or volunteer environments to increase independence

The Boston Post Road campus Orange, CT, serves students ages 3-22 who demonstrate moderate to high functioning skills on the autism spectrum as well as Milestone’s Advanced Intervention Program which provides a full day Intensive Treatment Classroom to individuals ages 5-22 who demonstrate significant behavior that affects their placement in lesser restrictive environments.

You can learn more about Milestones on their website: www.mbs-inc.org or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/MilestonesCT

Thank you again Milestones for your generous support!

Milestones Behavioral Services has over 25 years of Applied Behavior Analytic expertise in educating people with autism and other developmental disabilities.

09/13/2026

ASAT would like to thank Stride Autism Centers for joining our sponsorship team at the Alliance level! Stride's first time sponsorship qualifies for a matching grant from our Founder!

We appreciate your support of our mission to disseminate accurate, evidence-based information about autism and autism treatment.

Based in Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska, and South Dakota, Stride Autism Centers provides center-based Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy tailored to preschool-aged children ages 2–6. Founded by Brad Zelinger, Stride focuses exclusively on early intervention, helping young learners develop essential life skills while expanding access to high-quality clinical care in underserved communities.
Five core values guide Stride’s practice: acting with integrity, honesty, and transparency; striving for continuous improvement; collaborating; infusing joy; and caring big. These values are reflected in Stride’s individualized educational programs, which emphasize the development of critical play, social, and life skills through engaging, play-based activities designed specifically for young children.

For more information about Stride Autism Centers, visit their website at stridecenters.com and follow them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/StrideCenters/

Stride Autism Centers, thank you again for your support of ASAT and our mission. We are excited to welcome you as one of our sponsors!

To learn more about the benefits of becoming an ASAT sponsor, visit https://asatonline.org/professional-sponsors/

We offer center-based ABA programs for children 2-6 years old diagnosed with autism across the Midwest! Learn about our services and mission here!

09/13/2026

Happy Grandparents Day! Today, we celebrate and honor the incredible individuals who play a nurturing, guiding role in the lives of children with autism. Whether you're a grandparent by blood, by choice, or by heart, your unwavering love, support, and presence make a profound difference. You are the emergency caregivers, the storytellers, the steady hands, the patient listeners, and the champions of growth and possibility. We recognize that your journey may come with unique challenges and concerns, but please know—you are not alone. We are here to support you and your extended families with resources, information, and a caring space.
Thank you for showing up with compassion, for offering wisdom, and for being a source of strength. Your impact is immeasurable, and your role is deeply appreciated.

09/12/2026

In this article, Dr. Amy Bukszpan, PhD, BCBA-D, and David Celiberti, PhD, BCBA-D, highlight practical ways educators can advocate for evidence-based practices, collaborate with families and professionals, and help others identify reliable information amid the plethora of information and misinformation about autism treatment. Learn how sharing resources, amplifying science-based information, contributing your expertise, and engaging with ASAT can help strengthen educational practice and support meaningful outcomes for autistic students both at your school and beyond.

Read more at: https://asatonline.org/faculty/how-teachiers-can-help-us/

The complete September 2026 issue of Science in Autism Treatment can be found here: https://mailchi.mp/asatonline/science-in-autism-treatment_2026_09

Not yet a subscriber? Subscribe here for free: www.asatonline.org/newsletter/

09/11/2026

Today, on Patriot Day and the 25th anniversary, we pause to reflect and remember the tragic events of September 11, 2001.
ASAT honors the memory of all who were lost, including scores of first responders, and stands in solidarity with all of those who were impacted. We are deeply grateful for the resilience of the human spirit, and for the courage, compassion, and unity that emerged in the aftermath—transcending differences in creed, belief, and political ideology. The strength and sense of community shown during those difficult days continue to inspire us.

09/10/2026

Shanah Tovah!
Wishing a joyful, uplifting, and meaningful Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, to all who celebrate.
Rosh Hashanah is a time for reflection, renewal, and hope as we look toward the year ahead. May this new year bring health, happiness, and continued growth, not only to those in the autism community, but to everyone.
At ASAT, we believe that every individual with autism deserves access to evidence based interventions, accurate information, compassion, meaningful support, and abundant opportunities to help them live their best lives. May the year ahead be filled with greater understanding, empathy, inclusion, and hope for all.
From all of us at ASAT, L’Shanah Tovah!
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