Autism and the implications of evidence-based research on therapeutic interventions in young peopleThe field of autism continues to be a dynamic and evolving topic of exploration and research for professionals in the medical, educational, behavioral and social science disciplines. Research on evidence-based therapies in these areas guides professional practice, interventions, programs, and long-term care for people with autism. Within this article there will be a review of research studies published over the past five years on the use of positive behavioral interventions and behavior management supports for students with autism within the educational context. The review of each research study will address the focus of the study, the questions the research study aims to answer, the sample investigated by the research study, the experimental or research design used in the study, and finally the statistical tests used to derive the research. results. The Journal of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (2009) published the article, Update of a Meta-Analysis of Intervention Research with Challenging Behaviors: Treatment Validity and Standards of Practice, which examines previous research related to best practices and the rate success of different strategies to address problem behaviors in children with developmental disabilities. Authors Shane Harvey, Diana Boer, Luanna Meyer, and Ian Evan sought to conduct a large systematic meta-analysis of published literature on research studies addressing problem behaviors in children with developmental disabilities. Harvey, Boer, Meyer, and Evans attempt to replicate as closely as possible a research study first published nearly two decades ago on a... half of an article... y, S.T., Boer, D., Meyer, L. H., & Evans, I. M. (2009). Update of a meta-analysis of intervention research with challenging behaviors: Treatment validity and standards of practice [Abstract]. Journal of Intellectual and Developmental Disability, 34(1), 67-80. doi:10.1080/13668250802690922Kraemer, B. R., Cook, C. R., Browning-Wright, D., Mayer, G. R., & Wallace, M. D. (2008). Effects of training on the use of behavior support plan quality assessment guide with autism educators: A preliminary investigation examining positive behavior support plans. Journal of Positive Behavior Interventions, 10(3), 179-189. doi:10.1177/1098300708318796 National Autism Center (2009). National Standards Project: Addressing the need for evidence-based practice guidelines for autism spectrum disorders (978-0-9836494-2-7). Retrieved May 26, 2012, from http://nationalautismcenter.org