ABA
Recent articles
Head of company that accredits autism service providers resigns after article retraction
The resignation follows reporting by Spectrum and Retraction Watch in October about nonexistent references in the retracted article.
![Headshot of Sara Litvak.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/1200-landscape-litvak-resignation-transmitter-neuroscience-1024x683.webp)
Head of company that accredits autism service providers resigns after article retraction
The resignation follows reporting by Spectrum and Retraction Watch in October about nonexistent references in the retracted article.
Article defending private-equity involvement in autism services retracted
Nearly two-thirds of the article’s references appear to not exist.
![A crumpled piece of paper atop a stack of papers against a grey background.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/1200-litvak-private-equity-applied-behavior-analysis-retraction-autism-1024x692.webp)
Article defending private-equity involvement in autism services retracted
Nearly two-thirds of the article’s references appear to not exist.
Social communication and developmental disorders with Connie Kasari
In this episode of “Synaptic,” Kasari talks about the need for inclusion in educating autistic children, what drew her into the autism research field, and growing up on the family farm.
![Portrait of Connie Kasari.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/1200-kasari-synaptic-autism.jpg)
Social communication and developmental disorders with Connie Kasari
In this episode of “Synaptic,” Kasari talks about the need for inclusion in educating autistic children, what drew her into the autism research field, and growing up on the family farm.
Autism research at the crossroads
The power struggle between researchers, autistic self-advocates and parents is threatening progress across the field.
![Three groups of people meet and mix at a crossroads.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Autism-crossroads-advocacy-844.jpg)
Autism research at the crossroads
The power struggle between researchers, autistic self-advocates and parents is threatening progress across the field.
Applied behavior analysis and autism: Flawed application of a proven science
The field of ABA needs more compassion and individualization.
![A mother and child stand, dwarfed by giant alphabet blocks spelling ABA.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Yev-Veverka-ABA-autism-844x400-copy.jpg)
Applied behavior analysis and autism: Flawed application of a proven science
The field of ABA needs more compassion and individualization.
Access to virtual autism therapy in U.S. could narrow post-COVID
When the federal public health emergency expires, so too could temporary insurance coverage of applied behavior analysis conducted remotely. A proposed rule could block those changes, however, at least for people with public insurance.
![A mother holds her son while on a video call with a doctor.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/ABA-telehealth-autism-844.jpg)
Access to virtual autism therapy in U.S. could narrow post-COVID
When the federal public health emergency expires, so too could temporary insurance coverage of applied behavior analysis conducted remotely. A proposed rule could block those changes, however, at least for people with public insurance.
Why autism therapies have an evidence problem
Early interventions for autism lack solid data. The source of this problem is murky but may stem from ongoing debates about evidence quality and entrenched conflicts of interest within the field.
![](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/844_FinalOpener-interventions.png)
Why autism therapies have an evidence problem
Early interventions for autism lack solid data. The source of this problem is murky but may stem from ongoing debates about evidence quality and entrenched conflicts of interest within the field.
Null and Noteworthy: Quality of life, IACC discussion, mixed results on interventions
In this edition of Null and Noteworthy, the Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee grapples with “groundbreaking” research and two reviews of interventions come to conflicting conclusions.
![Illustration of hybrid objects: part light bulb, part lab vial, some in blue and some in red to signify null and replicated results](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/20210325-NullBlog-1-844.jpg)
Null and Noteworthy: Quality of life, IACC discussion, mixed results on interventions
In this edition of Null and Noteworthy, the Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee grapples with “groundbreaking” research and two reviews of interventions come to conflicting conclusions.
Many U.S. counties lack autism therapists
Applied behavior analysis is the most widely used therapy for autistic children in the United States, but some regions lack the staff needed to provide it.
![A child's hand points to a location on a hand drawn map of the United States in different crayon colors.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/20210421-GeographicAccessABA-844.jpg)
Many U.S. counties lack autism therapists
Applied behavior analysis is the most widely used therapy for autistic children in the United States, but some regions lack the staff needed to provide it.
Low standards corrode quality of popular autism therapy
Rapid growth and inadequate standards in the 'applied behavior analysis' industry may put vulnerable children in the hands of poorly prepared technicians.
![Illustration depicts mother and child facing a field of doors: some are dark and some are light](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/ABAlede844.jpg)
Low standards corrode quality of popular autism therapy
Rapid growth and inadequate standards in the 'applied behavior analysis' industry may put vulnerable children in the hands of poorly prepared technicians.
Explore more from The Transmitter
Cell population in brainstem coordinates cough, new study shows
The work also adds to a growing body of evidence showing that mice, and their genetic toolbox, can be used to study cough.
![](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/1200_coughingmice-1024x720.webp)
Cell population in brainstem coordinates cough, new study shows
The work also adds to a growing body of evidence showing that mice, and their genetic toolbox, can be used to study cough.
In updated U.S. autism bill, Congress calls for funding boost, expanded scope
The current Autism CARES Act sunsets in late September.
![Capitol building](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/capitolhill-1200-1024x692.webp)
In updated U.S. autism bill, Congress calls for funding boost, expanded scope
The current Autism CARES Act sunsets in late September.
Ketamine targets lateral habenula, setting off cascade of antidepressant effects
The drug’s affinity for overactive cells in the “anti-reward” region may help explain its rapid and long-lasting results.
![Illustration of ketamine blocking open ion channels in active NMDA receptors, quieting the cells and disrupting downstream signaling involved in depression.](https://www.thetransmitter.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/1200-ketamine-receptor-transmitter-neuroscience-1024x683.webp)
Ketamine targets lateral habenula, setting off cascade of antidepressant effects
The drug’s affinity for overactive cells in the “anti-reward” region may help explain its rapid and long-lasting results.