Applied behavior analysis is the only evidence-based, empirically validated method of treatment and rehabilitation for persons with autism spectrum disorders, pervasive developmental disabilities and mental retardation. Verbally-mediated approaches---such as those used by psychoanalytically-oriented therapists, have never been shown in controlled studies to have any value for improving the psychosocial, educational, vocational or social skills and functioning of persons with these disorders. It would be criminal to fail to educate the public and set treatment guidelnes for these disorders with anything other than applied behavior analysis.

Robert Paul Liberman, M.D.
Distinguished Professor of Psychiatry
University of California at Los Angeles School of Medicine
Director, UCLA Psychiatric Rehabilitation Program
Semel Institute of Neuroscience and Human Behavior

#25: -

Thank you Professor Liberman.  You write "It would be criminal to fail to educate the public and set treatment guidelnes for these disorders with anything other than applied behavior analysis"...  While I'm not convinced that pure ABA is the only solution, psychoanalysis and related "therapies" are certainly the problem!  Indeed, you should not have used the conditional in your statement - IT IS CRIMINAL - and that is the whole problem!