Accepted: 17 February 2024 | Kaitlynn M.P. Baiden, Zachary J. Williams, Rachel K. Schuck, Patrick Dwyer, Mian Wang
This study explores the social validity of behavioral interventions for autistic individuals by gathering input from autistic adults (N=235) through an online survey using the Autism Intervention Attitudes Scale (AIAS). The AIAS includes statements about intervention goals and practices, designed to assess the acceptability and appropriateness of these interventions from the autistic perspective. Key findings indicate that participants find goals and practices focusing on quality of life, safety, and autistic interactions acceptable, while those emphasizing normalization based on neurotypical standards are not. An exploratory graph analysis revealed three communities of goals: "uncontroversial goals," "controversial goals," and "social goals." Participants also favored naturalistic strategies over structured interventions. These findings align with criticisms of behavioral interventions from autistic adults but provide specific insights into how interventions can be reformed to better support autistic individuals. The study highlights the importance of including autistic perspectives in the development and evaluation of interventions to ensure they are socially valid and effective.This study explores the social validity of behavioral interventions for autistic individuals by gathering input from autistic adults (N=235) through an online survey using the Autism Intervention Attitudes Scale (AIAS). The AIAS includes statements about intervention goals and practices, designed to assess the acceptability and appropriateness of these interventions from the autistic perspective. Key findings indicate that participants find goals and practices focusing on quality of life, safety, and autistic interactions acceptable, while those emphasizing normalization based on neurotypical standards are not. An exploratory graph analysis revealed three communities of goals: "uncontroversial goals," "controversial goals," and "social goals." Participants also favored naturalistic strategies over structured interventions. These findings align with criticisms of behavioral interventions from autistic adults but provide specific insights into how interventions can be reformed to better support autistic individuals. The study highlights the importance of including autistic perspectives in the development and evaluation of interventions to ensure they are socially valid and effective.