Overview of autism interventions

This chapter provides an overview of the literature examining evidence-based interventions for individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). We review a wide range of treatment options and intervention approaches with empirical support, including several psychosocial interventions (e.g., early intensive behavioral interventions, and cognitive-behavioral and mindfulness-based approaches, social skills interventions) and pharmacological and biological interventions, as well as emerging less-supported approaches that are promising. The review includes description, symptoms targeted, as well as state of the evidence in the extant literature for the intervention approaches. Based on this review, we describe challenges the field now faces and implications for future research and clinical practice.