Although social validation of the goals, methods, and outcomes of evidence-based practices (EBPs) in autism treatment is a significant factor in their selection and effective use, EBPs are typically identified based on the technical soundness of research without consideration of social validity.
The researchers did this study to investigate EBPs and emerging treatments identified by the National Autism Center (NAC) and National Professional Development Center on Autism Spectrum Disorders (NPDC) to determine which interventions have evidence of social validity the types of social validation addressed. The researchers conducted a systematic review of 828 articles that were cited by the NAC and NPDC. After the initial screening, they finally determined that only 221 articles (26.7%) demonstrated direct social validation measurement.
The study concluded through its findings that of seven social validity categories analyzed, only consumer satisfaction, clinically significant behavioral change, and socially critical dependent variables were consistently reported. A list of EBPs with varying social and empirical validation levels is presented, and implications for future research are discussed.
Reference: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/1088357616632446
