Unlock Success in 2026: Dive into the SPCE 680 Autism Spectrum Practice Exam Adventure!

The rationale for identifying the Complementary Eastern Medicine Program as an exclusion from borderline evidence-based non-physical treatments lies in the context of its application and the level of empirical support for its effectiveness. While art therapy, meditation practices, and animal-assisted therapy have gained a foothold in both anecdotal and some empirical research as beneficial non-physical treatments for individuals, especially those on the autism spectrum, the Complementary Eastern Medicine Program often incorporates a range of practices that may not yet have a robust body of evidence to support their effectiveness specifically for autism spectrum disorders.

The other options—art therapy, meditation practices, and animal-assisted therapy—have seen various studies and interventions that suggest potential benefits for individuals with autism, thus placing them within the framework of treatments recognized as borderline evidence-based. Art therapy allows expression and communication through creative means, meditation can address anxiety and improve focus, and animal-assisted therapy can enhance social interactions and emotional connections. These therapies have evidence supporting their positive impacts on individuals, making them more aligned with borderline evidence-based practices.

In contrast, the Complementary Eastern Medicine Program often involves methodologies that need further research and validation to clearly demonstrate consistent effectiveness for individuals with autism, which leads to its exclusion in this context.