NEWS: The Lancet retracts 1998 Wakefield, et. al. paper linking MMR to autism and GI problems

On February 2, 2010 UK medical journal The Lancet formally retracted, thus formally removing from the scientific record, the 1998 research report that linked the measles-mumps and rubella vaccine (MMR) to bowel disease and pervasive developmental disorder.

RETRACTION:
Retraction—Ileal-lymphoid-nodular hyperplasia, non-specific colitis, and pervasive developmental disorder in children
The Lancet, Early Online Publication, 2 February 2010
doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(10)60175-7
(This article made available free by The Lancet with registration as a service to readers. )

removing from the scientific record,
Wakefield, A.J., Murch, S.H., Anthony, A., Linnell, J., Casson, D.M., Malik,M., et al. (1998). Ileal-lymphoid-nodular hyperplasia, non-specific colitis, and pervasive developmental disorder in children. The Lancet, 351(9103), 637-641.

This retraction comes within days of a UK General Medical Council (GMC) decision that three authors of the 1998 article - Andrew Wakefield, John Walker-Smith and Simon Murch - had committed serious violations of research ethics and additionally, in Wakefield's case, irresponsibility and dishonesty in conducting the original research study. The three will return before the GMC in April where it will be determined whether there was guilt of serious professional misconduct - such a finding could result in sanction up through removal of license to practice medicine.

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Media stories:

Report linking autism to vaccines is retracted by medical journal
By Thomas H. Maugh II
February 2, 2010 | 9:34 a.m.
Los Angeles Times

Lancet Renounces Study Linking Autism And Vaccines
Scott Hensley
National Public Radio(NPR)12:25  pm
February 2, 2010

Lancet accepts MMR study 'false'
By Nick Triggle
Health reporter, BBC News
Page last updated at 14:22 GMT, Tuesday, 2 February 2010

Previous blog post
Thursday, January 28, 2010
NEWS: British GMC rules that unethical practice used and research rules broken in study for 1998 Lancet article linking MMR and autism

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Website: Practitioner Issues in Behavior Analysis SIG

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Views and news expressed in this blog or by the PIBA SIG are those of the SIG or SIG members and do not represent official policy of ABA International or other official body. For official policy of the Association of Behavior Analysis International, the reader is directed to their website, http://www.abainternational.org

 

 

ANNOUNCE: Maine issues new evidence-based report on autism interventions

**Update: 1/25/10, 3:05pm PST - A reader passed along the tip that the Winter 2010 issue/volume 7(1) of Science in Autism Treatment, the newsletter of the Association for Science in Autism Treatment contains a summary on the Maine report,

pp. 4-5, "Consumer Corner: Maine Releases Report on Evidence-Based Practice for Autism"
Lora Perry, M.S., BCBA
SCIENCE IN AUTISM TREATMENT: Newsletter of the Association for Science in Autism Treatment. Vol. 7 No. 1, Winter 2010.

[End of Update 1]**
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A collaboration of The Maine Department of Health and Human Service & The Maine Department of Education recently issued a report on evaluation of the evidence for interventions for ASD.

The report is,
Interventions for Autism Spectrum Disorders: STATE OF THE EVIDENCE
Report of the Children’s Services Evidence-Based Practice Advisory Committee
A Collaboration of
THE MAINE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES & THE MAINE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
October 2009
Summary table can be found on pages 8-10


This report is another addition to the reference library of updated reports on the state of evidence on autism intervention, which also includes,

National Standards Report: The National Standards — Addressing the Need for Evidence-based Practice Guidelines for Autism Spectrum Disorders (174pp.)
National Autism Center, Randolph, MA. 2009.


Evidence-Based Practice and Autism in the Schools: A Guide To Providing Appropriate Interventions to Students With Autism Spectrum Disorders. (258pp.)
National Autism Center, Randolph, MA. 2009.


Myers, S.M., Plauche Johnson, C., (2007). Clinical report: Management of children with autism spectrum disorders. PEDIATRICS, 120(5),1162-1182. (doi:10.1542/peds.2007-2362) 
AAP Policy - American Academy of Pediatrics
NB: Applied behavior analysis and functional behavior analysis covered under "Specific Strategies" on page 1164, under "Speech and Language Therapy" on page 1165, under "Social Skills Training" on page 1165, under "Comparative Efficacy of Educational Interventions for Young Children" on page 1166, under "Programs for Older Children and Adolescents" on page 1166.


Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN). Assessment, diagnosis and clinical interventions for children and young people with autism spectrum disorders. A national clinical guideline. Edinburgh (Scotland): Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN); 2007 Jul. 65 p. (SIGN publication; no. 98). [232 references]


Ministries of Health and Education. 2008. New Zealand Autism Spectrum Disorder Guideline. Wellington: Ministry of Health.

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Related groups, websites, books and past blog posts


AUTISM
Presentation: 7. Behavior Analytic Research in the Treatment of Autism
David Celiberti, Ph.D., BCBA
"An overview of the state of research in autism that evaluates behavior analytic and non–behavior analytic treatments will be presented, with an emphasis on considerations for future research in applied settings."
Presented Monday August 4 at the 2008 National Autism Conference. August 4–8, 2008 Penn State, Pennsylvania
(scroll down the page to the presentation, handouts, and audio of the presentation)

A Parent's Guide to Research
Life Journey Through Autism Guide
Organization for Autism Research

Association for Science in Autism Treatment (ASAT)
Summaries of Scientific Research on ABA Teaching Procedures
Teaching Procedures Using Principles of Applied Behavior Analysis


Research Autism (UK)
Introduction to interventions in autism
Evaluated Interventions
Early Intensive Behavioural Intervention

Parent Guide to [autism] Therapies (Australia)
Raising children network: The Australian Parenting Website


ABAI -  Autism Special Interest Group

ABAI - Parent-Professional Partnership Special Interest Group (PPP-SIG)


EVIDENCE-BASED PRACTICE

The Cochrane Collaboration 
[Evidence-based health care]
An introduction to Cochrane reviews and The Cochrane Library

The Campbell Collaboration 
[systematic reviews of the effects of social interventions - education, crime and justice, and social welfare]


The Wing Institute
Executive Summary
How Does Applied Behavior Analysis Support Evidence-Based Education


BOOKS
Effective Practices for children with autism: Educational and behavior support interventions that work. (2008). New York: Luiselli, J.K., Russo, D.C., Christian, C.P, & Wilczynski, S.M. (Editors). New York: Oxford University Press, USA.
ISBN-13: 978-0-19-531704-6

[Google books limited preview]


Early intervention for autism spectrum disorders: a critical analysis.
 Matson, J.L., & Minshawi, N.F. (2006).  Amsterdam: Elsevier Ltd.
ISBN-13: 978-0-08-044675-2
[Google books limited preview]

Related past posts:
Thursday, January 7, 2010
Practitioner Issues in Behavior Analysis SIG blog
NEWS: Pediatrics publishes two significant reports on evaluation, diagnosis and treatment of gastrointestinal disorders in individuals diagnosed with ASD

Thursday, December 3, 2009
Practitioner Issues in Behavior Analysis SIG blog
ANNOUNCE: National Autism Center announces new manual for evidence-based education of those with ASD

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Practitioner Issues in Behavior Analysis SIG
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Views and news expressed in this blog or by the PIBA SIG are those of the SIG or individual SIG member authors and do not represent official policy of ABA International or other official body. For official policy of the Association of Behavior Analysis International, the reader is directed to their website,

NEWS: Pediatrics publishes two significant reports on evaluation, diagnosis and treatment of gastrointestinal disorders in individuals diagnosed with ASD

On January 4, 2010 Pediatrics, the official journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics, published online two articles related to the evaluation, diagnosis and treatment of gastrointestinal disorders in individuals with autism spectrum disorders.

Both articles are currently available in free full-text at the Pediatrics website,and professionals working with the ASD population may find them of value for their own education and in their roles in serving individuals with ASD.

The first is a consensus report based on the review of current available evidence by an expert panel (composition of the panel, evaluative process and resulting twenty-three statements described in the full report). Because evidence-based recommendation was not achievable at this time, this consensus report was produced, with a footnote included that,

"The guidance in this article is not intended to advocate for an exclusive course of treatment or to represent a standard of medical care. Individual circumstances will determine variations that may be appropriate."

Buie T, et al "Evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment of gastrointestinal disorders in individuals with ASDs: a consensus report" Pediatrics 2010; 125: S1-S18.
DOI: 10.1542/peds.2009-1878C
http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/cgi/reprint/125/Supplement_1/S1

ABSTRACT:

Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are common and clinically heterogeneous neurodevelopmental disorders. Gastrointestinal disorders and associated symptoms are commonly reported in individuals with ASDs, but key issues such as the prevalence and best treatment of these conditions are incompletely understood. A central difficulty in recognizing and characterizing gastrointestinal dysfunction with ASDs is the communication difficulties experienced by many affected individuals. A multidisciplinary panel reviewed the medical literature with the aim of generating evidence-based recommendations for diagnostic evaluation and management of gastrointestinal problems in this patient population. The panel concluded that evidence-based recommendations are not yet available. The consensus expert opinion of the panel was that individuals with ASDs deserve the same thoroughness and standard of care in the diagnostic workup and treatment of gastrointestinal concerns as should occur for patients without ASDs. Care providers should be aware that problem behavior in patients with ASDs may be the primary or sole symptom of the underlying medical condition, including some gastrointestinal disorders. For these patients, integration of behavioral and medical care may be most beneficial. Priorities for future research are identified to advance our understanding and management of gastrointestinal disorders in persons with ASDs.Pediatrics 2010;125:S1–S18

The second,
Buie T, et al "Recommendations for evaluation and treatment of common gastrointestinal problems in children with ASDs" Pediatrics 2010; 125: S19-S29.
DOI: 10.1542/peds.2009-1878D
http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/cgi/reprint/125/Supplement_1/S19

includes differential diagnostic and treatment guidelines which make reference to the consensus report.

ABSTRACT:

Children with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) can benefit from adaptation of general pediatric guidelines for the diagnostic evaluation of abdominal pain, chronic constipation, and gastroesophageal reflux disease. These guidelines help health care providers determine when gastrointestinal symptoms are self-limited and when evaluation beyond a thorough medical history and physical examination should be considered. Children with ASDs who have gastrointestinal disorders may present with behavioral manifestations. Diagnostic and treatment recommendations for the general pediatric population are useful to consider until the development of evidence-based guidelines specifically for patients with ASDs. Pediatrics 2010;125:S19–S29

As a sidebar to the newsstories on the Pediatrics articles, it was noted in one news report that there is a current well-designed and controlled study at the University of Rochester that is anticipated to provide useful information on the effects of the gluten-free/casein-free diet on children with ASD, and that Autism Speaks will be issuing its own recommendations on treatment, including diet, within the year via its Autism Treatment Network.

For further reading/references:

Pediatrics Gastrointestinal Consensus Statement & Recommendations Provide First Step Toward Needed Guidelines for Children with Autism
Autism Speaks

No Proof Yet That Special Diets Ease Autism
Experts say that, for now, parents should work with their child's doctors
By E.J. Mundell
HealthDay Reporter, BusinessWeek

NIMH study NCT00090428, Diet and Behavior in Young Children With Autism.

Autism Speaks Autism Treatment Network

Pediatrics - Official Journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics

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Website: Practitioner Issues in Behavior Analysis SIG

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Views and news expressed in this blog or by the PIBA SIG are those of the SIG or SIG members and do not represent official policy of ABA International or other official body. For official policy of the Association of Behavior Analysis International, the reader is directed to their website, http://www.abainternational.org

ANNOUNCE: National Autism Center announces new manual for evidence-based education of those with ASD

The National Standards Project of the National Autism Center announced in their December newsletter that a NEW manual targeting educators is available for free download or purchase at their website, and shared an update on the also available recently released National Standards Project Report.

National Autism Center Releases New Autism Educator Manual

We are pleased to make available a comprehensive new manual by the National Autism Center entitled, Evidence-Based Practice and Autism in the Schools.

“We created this manual for educators as a means of promoting evidence-based practice for Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) in schools,” said Susan M. Wilczynski, Ph.D., BCBA, Executive Director of the National Autism Center. “We know that research-supported interventions are most likely to produce positive outcomes for the ever-increasing numbers of students with ASD.”

The development and publication of the manuals were made possible through support from the American Legion Child Welfare Foundation, Inc., and the Niel M. Wreidt 2003 Revocable Trust. The American Legion grant enabled us to distribute the first 3,000 manuals free of charge to public school systems throughout the country.

Due to the overwhelming response to the manuals, we are making them available on our website. Visitors can now download them for free, or purchase a hard copy through our on-line Bookstore. We welcome you to take a look!

This is a new complement to the National Standards Project Report, previously issued in September, which addressed the level of evidence for autism interventions.

 NAC Director Susan M. Wilczynski, Ph.D., BCBA talks about the National Standards Project

In their update on the National Standards Project Report, the NAC December newsletter also stated that,

The response to our September announcement of National Standards Project results has been tremendous! Individuals from every state in the United States, and from close to 50 countries, have visited our website in the past two months. They have downloaded tens of thousands of free copies of the Project results.

Help us to continue spreading the word! Forward our e-card to others who might be interested in learning about the National Standards Project.

We invite you to visit our website to view and download a free electronic copy, or to purchase a printed copy, of the report.

The primary goal of the National Standards Project is to provide critical information about which treatments have been shown to be effective for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders. The National Standards Report covers a broad range of applied treatments and identifies the level of scientific evidence available for each. The report serves as a single, authoritative source of guidance for parents, caregivers, educators, and service providers as they make informed treatment decisions. We are confident that these findings and recommendations will change lives and give hope and direction to people whose lives are touched by autism.

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Practitioner Issues in Behavior Analysis SIG
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Views and news expressed in this blog or by the PIBA SIG are those of the SIG or individual SIG member authors and do not represent official policy of ABA International or other official body. For official policy of the Association of Behavior Analysis International, the reader is directed to their website,