Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 10, 2026
08:42
A Familiarization Protocol Facilitates the Participation of Children with ASD in Electrophysiological Research
Published on: July 31, 2017
Science and pseudoscience in developmental disabilities: guidelines for social workers
Bruce A Thyer1, Monica Pignotti
1College of Social Work, Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida 32306, USA. bthyer@fsu.edu
Journal of Social Work in Disability & Rehabilitation
|August 24, 2010
Summary
Empirically supported treatments benefit individuals with developmental disabilities, but pseudoscientific therapies harm them. Social workers should prioritize evidence-based interventions over bogus treatments for better outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Disabilities
- Behavioral Science
- Evidence-Based Practice
Background:
- Individuals with developmental disabilities can access effective, empirically supported treatments.
- Pseudoscientific and bogus therapies are prevalent and detrimental to this population.
- Human service professionals, including social workers, sometimes offer unsupported interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the characteristics of pseudoscientific and bogus treatments.
- To provide examples of harmful, unsupported interventions.
- To encourage social workers to adopt evidence-based practices.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of pseudoscientific and empirically supported treatments.
- Analysis of contemporary interventions offered to individuals with developmental disabilities.
- Case examples of unsupported therapies.
Main Results:
- Pseudoscientific treatments lack empirical support and can be harmful.
- Bogus therapies are offered by some human service professionals.
- Empirically supported treatments improve educational, social, vocational, and self-care skills while reducing behavioral issues.
Conclusions:
- Social workers must differentiate between evidence-based and pseudoscientific interventions.
- Prioritizing empirically supported treatments is crucial for the well-being of individuals with developmental disabilities.
- Avoiding bogus therapies ensures ethical and effective service delivery.
Related Concept Videos
01:30Scientific Nature of Social Psychology
Social psychology is a scientific discipline dedicated to understanding how individuals think, feel, and behave in social contexts. Unlike common sense, which relies on anecdotal experiences and intuition, social psychology employs systematic research and empirical methods to ensure objectivity and reliability. This distinction is fundamental in distinguishing scientifically supported findings from mere speculation.Four fundamental scientific values guide a structured approach to research in...
01:19Autism Spectrum Disorder
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition marked by persistent deficits in social communication and interaction alongside restrictive and repetitive behaviors or interests. ASD is sometimes accompanied by intellectual impairment.
These core symptoms manifest differently among individuals, ranging from mild to severe. The disorder's complexity extends beyond its clinical presentation, encompassing a diverse range of biological, cognitive, and sociocultural influences.
These core symptoms manifest differently among individuals, ranging from mild to severe. The disorder's complexity extends beyond its clinical presentation, encompassing a diverse range of biological, cognitive, and sociocultural influences.
01:29Intellectual Disability
Intellectual disability (ID) is a neurodevelopmental condition characterized by deficits in intellectual and adaptive functioning that manifest during the developmental period. This condition encompasses challenges in reasoning, memory, problem-solving, and learning, accompanied by impairments in everyday life skills, such as communication, self-care, and social interactions. Intellectual disability affects approximately 1% of the population in the United States, impacting an estimated 5...
01:25Learning Disabilities
Learning disabilities are cognitive disorders caused by neurological impairments that affect cognitive functions like language and reading, without indicating overall intellectual or developmental challenges. These disabilities differ from global intellectual or developmental disabilities as they are limited to distinct cognitive functions. Common learning disabilities include dysgraphia, dyslexia, and dyscalculia, each of which impacts unique aspects of learning.
Dyslexia
Dyslexia is a...
Dyslexia
Dyslexia is a...
01:26Modeling in Therapy
Modeling, a key technique in therapy, uses observational learning to help clients acquire and practice new skills by watching therapists demonstrate desired behaviors. This approach, rooted in Albert Bandura's concept of vicarious learning, plays a significant role in therapeutic interventions for various psychological conditions, including social anxiety, ADHD, and depression.
Participant Modeling
Participant modeling involves therapists demonstrating calm and effective behaviors in situations...
Participant Modeling
Participant modeling involves therapists demonstrating calm and effective behaviors in situations...
01:04Social Facilitation
Not all intergroup interactions lead to negative outcomes. Sometimes, being in a group situation can improve performance. Social facilitation occurs when an individual performs better when an audience is watching than when the individual performs the behavior alone. This typically occurs when people are performing a task for which they are skilled.