The Times investigation correctly flags a booming ABA industry pushing up to 40 weekly hours on young autistic children, yet it underplays how this contradicts peer-reviewed findings on diminishing returns and potential harm. A 2022 RCT (n=164, low bias, no industry funding) in JAMA Pediatrics demonstrated equivalent gains from 20 versus 40 hours of intervention, with higher intensity linked to caregiver stress and no added cognitive benefits. An observational cohort study (n=892, high attrition) published in The Lancet Psychiatry further revealed inconsistent therapist certification and outcome tracking across 47 clinics, issues the Times coverage notes only anecdotally. These gaps point to misaligned reimbursement models that reward volume over evidence, leaving families exposed without stronger state oversight or mandatory fidelity audits. Regulatory bodies have yet to integrate dosage caps despite clear patterns from controlled trials.