Research Digest

Research Digest from ABA Weekly.

A Second Pooled Analysis Just Found Hours Did Almost Nothing. Age at Start Did.

A Molecular Autism mega-analysis of 582 autistic children across 11 datasets found cumulative intervention intensity had largely no effect on outcomes, while earlier age at start and higher pre-intervention developmental quotient predicted better results.

The Strongest Predictor of Outcome Was Hours. Regulators Are Calling Hours a Red Flag.

Eldevik and colleagues pooled participant-level data from 15 studies: effect sizes of 0.66 to 1.36, with weekly hours the strongest predictor of outcome. Every included study lacked random assignment.

New Study Examines ABA and Mental-Health Outcomes in Privately Insured Autistic Youth

A 2026 study in Autism examines ABA’s association with PTSD, suicidality, and mental-health hospitalization among privately insured autistic youth, using national claims data.

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