Brief report: comparative ABA and DIR trials in twin brothers with autism.

Two twin boys with autism lived in the same home. One twin got ABA for several weeks. The other twin got DIR (floor-time) for the same weeks.

Researchers tracked both boys with the CSBS communication scale before and after. They wanted to see which approach moved the needle.

The ABA twin gained a few points on the CSBS. The DIR twin lost a few points. The changes were small and went in opposite directions.

Because only two kids were tested, the authors call the outcome “mixed” and warn against big claims.

Eckes et al. (2023) pooled 632 children and found medium IQ and adaptive gains for comprehensive ABA. Their large meta-analysis quietly swallows this tiny 2007 twin data point.

Gitimoghaddam et al. (2022) mapped 770 ABA papers and still found only 4% with control groups. The twin study is another drop in that weak-evidence bucket.

Benson (2012) looked at siblings instead of twins and saw no behavior harm from home ABA. Together these cousin studies suggest ABA is safe for brothers and sisters, even if benefit sizes vary.

This brief report is a fun natural experiment, but the sample is two. Use it as a conversation starter with parents, not a treatment guide. Lean on the larger 2023 meta-analysis when you need numbers you can trust.