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	By Lovaas		By McEachin		By Sallows		On Eclectic		More Studies

Only the research proven treatment is good enough for your child. Be a well-informed and careful consumer, choose only the best and most reliable.

It was Dr. Ivar Lovaas who first used ABA for children with autism in the early 70s. His groundbreaking research, “Behavioral Treatment and Normal Educational and Intellectual Functioning in Young Autistic Children” published in 1987, documented the effectiveness of using intensive ABA in these children.

The Study:

38 children were independently diagnosed with Autism
All of them began treatment before the age of 4
19 children received an average of 40 hours of formal, quality ABA intervention weekly
These 19 children received ABA for 2 or more years
ABA intervention occurred at home, school and the community

The Outcome:

	POOR	FAIR	BEST
I.Q.	Profound to Severe level of Mental Retardation	Moderate to Mild level of Mental Retardation	Normal range of intelligence
School Placement	Classes for autism	Special Education classes other than autism	Typical classes without support
Diagnosis	Autistic Disorders	Diagnoses other than Autistic Disorder	Indistinguishable
Experimental group: Average 40 hours/ week	2	8	9
Ctrl group: Average 10 hours/ week	11	8	0

Summary:
After 2 years of treatment, 48% who received intensive ABA intervention have obtained the best learning outcome and made average IQ gains of 30 points.

Lovaas, O. I. (1987) Behavioral treatment and normal educational and intellectual functioning in young autistic children. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 55(1), pp. 3-9.

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By McEachin

The Lovaas, et al (1987) follow-up study assessing the 9 subjects (48%) who had attained “the best outcome” in the experimental group at a mean age of 11.5 years. Results showed that the experimental group has preserved its gains over the control group. The 9 experimental subjects received particularly extensive evaluations indicating that 8 of them were indistinguishable from average children on tests of intelligence and adaptive behavior. The report shows that behavioral treatment produces long-lasting and significant gains for many young children with autism.

McEachin, J. J., Smith, T. & Lovaas, O. I. (1993). Long-term outcome for children with autism who received early intensive behavioral treatment. American Journal on Mental Retardation, 97, 359-372.

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By Sallows

4 children with autism were randomly assigned to a clinic-directed group, replicating Lovaas study, or to a parent-directed group that received intensive hours but less supervision by equally well-trained supervisors. Outcome after 4 years of treatment, including cognitive, language, adaptive, social, and academic measures, was similar for both groups. After combining groups, we found that 48% of all children showed rapid learning, achieved average post-treatment scores, and at age 7, were succeeding in regular education classrooms. Treatment outcome was best predicted by pre-treatment imitation, language, and social responsiveness. These results are consistent with those reported by Lovaas and colleagues (Lovaas, 1987; McEachin, Smith, & Lovaas, 1993). This has put to rest claims that the original study could never be replicated.

Sallows, G.O. and Graupner, T.D. Intensive behavioral treatment for children with autism: four-year outcome and predictors. American Journal on Mental Retardation, 2005, 110(6), pp. 417-438.

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Research on Eclectric

In addition to the research on ABA, there are studies that have looked at the effectiveness of combined treatments—implementing different treatments at the same time. Howard, et al (2005) conducted a 14-month study and looked at three treatment groups. The first group only received 30 hours of ABA; the second group received 30-hour mixture of ABA, TEEACH, Occupational Therapy, Speech Therapy and small group teaching; the third group joined a small community based group for 15 hours a week, receiving occasional support from a speech therapist and an occupational therapist. The results showed that children in the ABA group made more gains in all areas than both the other groups added together. This was an important finding as often it is cited that only the number of hours you commit to ABA matters but the research has shown that which treatment you choose also affects the treatment outcome significantly.

Howard, J. S., Sparkman, C. R., Cohen, H. G., Green, G., & Stanislaw, H. (2005). A comparison of intensive behavior analytic and eclectic treatments for young children with autism. Research in Developmental Disabilities, 26, 359-383.

Eikeseth et al (2002) did a similar study and compared two treatment groups of pure ABA approach versus an eclectic approach for over a year period. This study found that children in the ABA group made far superior gains than the children doing the eclectic treatment approach. These studies bring doubt on the commonly accepted rhetoric that doing a mixture of things is best for the student.

Eikeseth, S., Smith, T., Jahr, E., & Eldevik, S. (2002). Intensive behavioral treatment at school for 4-7-year-old children with autism: A 1-year comparison controlled study. Behavior Modification, 26, 49-68.

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More Proven Studies

Many other studies have demonstrated the same effectiveness of ABA in teaching a myriad of skills. Below is a list of some of those articles.

	Year	Publication
1	2007	Remington, B., et al (2007) Early intensive behavioural intervention: Outcomes for children with Autism and their parents after two years. Americal Journal on Mental Retardation, 112(6), 418-438.
2	2007	Eikeseth, S., et al (2007). Outcome for children with autism who began intensive behavioral treatment between ages 4 and 7: A comparison controlled study. Behavior Modification, 31, 264-278.
3	2006	Humphrey N. and Parkinson G. (2006). Research on interventions for children and young people on the autistic spectrum: a critical perspective. Journal of Research in Special Educational Needs, 6(2), pp. 76-86.
4	2006	Eldevik, S., Eikeseth, S., Jahr, E., & Smith, T. (2006). Effects of low intensity behavioral treatment for children with autism and mental retardation. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 36, 211-224.
5	2006	Zachor, D.A, et al., Change in autism core symptoms with intervention, Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders (2007), doi:10.1016/j.rasd.2006.12.001
6	2006	Cohen, H., Amerine-Dickens, M., & Smith, T. (2006). Early intensive Behavioral Treatment: Replication of the UCLA Model in a community setting. Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, 27, 145-155.
7	2006	Butter, E. M.., Mulick, J. A., & Metz, B. (2006). Eight case reports of learning recovery in children with pervasive developmental disorders after early intervention. Behavioural Interventions, 21, 227-243.
8	2005	Sallows, G.O. & Graupner, T. D. (2005). Intensive behavioral treatment for children with autism: Four-year outcome and predictors. American Journal on Mental Retardation, 110, 417-438.
9	2005	Reed, P., Osborne L. A. and Corness, M. (2005). The effectiveness of early intervention programmes for autistic spectrum disorders: a report for the South East Regional Special Educational Needs Partnership.
10	2005	Howard, J. S., Sparkman, C. R., Cohen, H. G., Green, G., & Stanislaw, H. (2005). A comparison of intensive behavior analytic and eclectic treatments for young children with autism. Research in Developmental Disabilities, 26, 359-383.
11	2004	Shea, V. (2004). A perspective on the research literature related to early intensive behavioural intervention (Lovaas) for young children with autism. Autism, 8(4), pp. 349-367.
12	2004	Huber, R. J. and Zivalich, D. M. (2004). Lovaas's behavioural treatment of autism viewed from an Adlerian perspective. Journal of Individual Psychology, 60(4), pp. 348-356.
13	2004	Bengt, P. and Bengt, S. (2004) Evidence-based treatment and autism. In: Ryaskin O.T. ed. Focus on autism research. New York: Nova Biomedical Books, pp. 1-48.
14	2002	Green, G., Brennan, L.C., & Fein, D. (2002). Intensive behavioral treatment for a toddler at high risk for autism. Behavior Modification, 26, 69-102.
15	2002	Eikeseth, S., Smith, T., Jahr, E., & Eldevik, S. (2002). Intensive behavioral treatment at school for 4-7-year-old children with autism: A 1-year comparison controlled study. Behavior Modification, 26, 49-68.
16	2002	Bibby, P., Eikeseth, S., Martin, N.T., Mudford, O.C., & Reeves, D. (2002). Progress and Outcomes for Children with Autism Receiving Parent-Managed Intensive Interventions. Research in Developmental Disabilities, 23, 81-104.
17	2001	Mudford, O.C., Martin, N.T., Eikeseth, S., & Bibby, P. (2001). Parent-managed behavioral treatment for preschool children with autism: Some characteristics of UK programs. Research in Developmental Disabilities, 22, 173-182.
18	2001	Bibby, P., Eikeseth, S., Martin, N. T., Mudford, O. C., & Reeves, D., (2001). Progress and outcomes for children with autism receiving parent-managed intensive interventions. Research in Developmental Disabilities. 22, 425-447.
19	2001	National Research Council: Committee on Educational Interventions for Children with Autism (2001). Educating Children with Autism. Ed. Catherine Lord and James P. McGee, Division of Behavioral and Social Sciences and Education, National Research Council. Washington, D.C.: National Academy Press
20	2001	Connor, M. (2001). The Lovaas approach re-visited. Guildford: Surrey County Council Educational Psychology Service.
21	2001	Committee on Children With Disabilities (2001). Technical Report: The Pediatrician's Role in the Diagnosis and Management of Autistic Spectrum Disorder in Children. Pediatrics, 107, e85.
22	2001	American Academy Of Pediatrics (2001). Policy Statement: The Pediatrician's Role in the Diagnosis and Management of Autistic Spectrum Disorder in Children (RE060018) Pediatrics, 107, 1221-1226.
23	2000	Smith, T., Buch, G.A., & Gamby, T.E. (2000). Parent-directed, intensive early intervention for children with pervasive developmental disorder. Research in Developmental Disabilities, 21, 297-309.
24	2000	Smith, T., Groen, A. D., & Wynne, J.W. (2000). Randomized trial of intensive early intervention for children with pervasive developmental disorder. American Journal on Mental Retardation, 105, 269-285.
25	2000	Mudford, O.C., Martin, N.T., Eikeseth, S., & Bibby, P. (2000). Parent-managed Behavioral Treatment for Pre-school Children with Autism: Some Characteristics of UK Programs. Research in Developmental Disabilities, 22, 173-182.
26	2000	Maine Administrators of Services for Children with Disabilities (2000). Report of the MADSEC Autism Task Force, Revised Edition.. Kennebec Centre, RR 2 Box 1856, Manchester, ME 04351,
27	2000	Harris, S.L., & Handleman, J.S. (2000). Age and IQ at intake as predictors of placement for young children with autism: a four- to six-year follow-up. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 30, 137-142.
28	2000	Auton et al. v. AGBC. (2000). British Columbia Supreme Court 1142.
29	1999	Volkmar, F., Cook, E.H., Pomeroy, J., Realmuto, G., & Tanguay, P. (1999). Practice parameters for the assessment and treatment of children, adolescents, and adults with autism and other pervasive developmental disorders. Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 38(Suppl):32S-54S.
30	1999	U.S. Surgeon General: Department of Health and Human Services (1999). Mental Health: A Report of the U.S. Surgeon General. Rockville, MD: Department of Health and Human Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Center for Mental Health Services, National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Mental Health
31	1999	New York State Department of Health Early Intervention Program (1999). Clinical Practice Guideline: The Guideline Technical Report, Autism/Pervasive Developmental Disorders, Assessment and Intervention for Young Children. Publication #4217. Health Education Services, P.O. Box 7126, Albany, NY 12224.
32	1999	Weiss, M. (1999). Differential rates of skill acquisition and outcomes of early intensive behavioral intervention for autism. Behavioral Interventions, 14, 3-22.
33	1999	Smith, T. (1999). Outcome of early intervention for children with autism. Clinical Psychology: Science and Practice, 6, 33-49.
34	1999	Satcher, D. (1999). Mental health: A report of the surgeon general. U.S. Public Health Service. Bethesda, MD.
35	1999	Sallows, G. O., & Graupner, T. D. (1999, November). Replicating Lovaas’ treatment and findings: Preliminary results. Paper presented at Autis99 [On-line]. Retrieved August 10, 2003, from http//trainland.tripod.com/gleno.htm
36	1999	Filipek, P.A., et. al. (1999). The screening and diagnosis of autistic spectrum disorders. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 29, 439-484.
37	1998	Smith, T. & Lovaas, O. I. (1998). Intensive and early behavioral intervention with autism: The UCLA Young Autism Project. Infants and Young Children, 10, 67-78.
38	1998	Sheinkopf, S. J. & Siegel, B. (1998). Home-based behavioral treatment of young children with autism. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 28, 15-23.
39	1998	Rogers, S.J. (1998). Empirically supported comprehensive treatments for young children with autism. Journal of Clinical Child Psychology. 27. 167-178.
40	1998	Ramey, C. T. & Ramey, S. L. (1998). Early intervention and early experience. American Psychologist, 53, 109-120.
41	1998	Ozonoff, S. & Cathcart, K. (1998). Effectiveness of a home program intervention for young children with autism. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 28, 25-32.
42	1998	Lynch, S. Case study: intensive behavioural intervention with a 7-year-old girl with autism. Autism, 1998, 2(2), pp. 181-197.
43	1998	Jacobson, J. W., Mulick, J. A., & Green, G. (1998). Cost-benefit estimates for early intensive behavioral intervention for young children with autism: General models and single state case. Behavioral Interventions, 13, 201-226.
44	1998	Guralnick, M.J. (1998). Effectiveness of early intervention for vulnerable children: A developmental perspective. American Journal on Mental Retardation, 102, 319-345.
45	1998	Cattell-Gordon, D. & Cattell-Gordon, D. (1998). The development of an effective applied behavior analysis program for a young child with autism. Infants and Young Children, 10, 79-85.
46	1997	Smith T., Eikeseth S., Klevstrand M., Lovaas O.I. Outcome of early intervention for children with pervasive developmental disorder and severe mental retardation. American Journal on Mental Retardation 102 (1997): 228-249.
47	1997	McClannahan, L. E. & Krantz, P. J. (1997). Princeton Child Development Institute. Behavior and Social Issues, 7, 65-68.
48	1997	Gresham, F. M. & MacMillan, D. L. (1997). Autistic Recovery? An analysis and critique of the empirical evidence on the Early Intervention Project. Behavioral Disorders, 22, 185-201.
49	1996	Matson, J. L., Benavidez, D. A., Compton, L. S., Paclwaskyj, T., & Baglio, C. (1996). Behavioral treatment of autistic persons - A review of research from 1980 to the present. Research in Developmental Disabilities, 7, 388-451.
50	1995	Perry, R., Cohen, I. and DeCarlo, R. Case study: deterioration, autism, and recovery in two siblings. Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 1995, 34(2), pp. 232-237.
51	1995	Buckmann, S. (1995). Lovaas revisited: Should we have ever left? Indiana Resource Center for Autism Newsletter, 8(3), pp. 1-7.
52	1994	Rimland, B. (1994). Recovery from autism is possible. Autism Research Review International, 8, 3.
53	1994	Ford, L., Riggs, K. S., Nissenbaum, M. & LaRaia, J. (1994). Facilitating desired behavior in the preschool child with autism: A case study. Contemporary Education, 65, 148-151.
54	1993	Lovaas, O.I. (1993). The development of a treatment research project for developmentally disabled and autistic children. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 26, 617-630.
55	1993	Mundy, P. (1993). Normal versus high-functioning status in children with autism. American Journal on Mental Retardation, 97, 381-382.
56	1993	McEachin, J. J., Smith, T. & Lovaas, O. I. (1993). Long-term outcome for children with autism who received early intensive behavioral treatment. American Journal on Mental Retardation, 97, 359-372.
57	1993	Mesibov, G. B. (1993) Treatment outcome is encouraging. American Journal on Mental Retardation, 97(4), pp. 379-380.
58	1993	Kazdin, A. E. (1993). Replication and extension of behavioural treatment of autistic disorder. American Journal on Mental Retardation, 97, 377-380.
59	1993	Foxx, R. M. (1993). Rapid effects awaiting independent replication. American Journal on Mental Retardation, 97, 375-376.
60	1993	Birnbrauer, J. S., & Leach, D. J. (1993). The Murdoch Early Intervention Program after 2 years. Behaviour Change, 10, 63-74.
61	1993	Baer, D. M. (1993). Commentaries on McEachin, Smith and Lovaas: Quasi-random assignment can be as convincing as random assignment. American Journal on Mental Retardation, 97, 373-380.
62	1992	Luce, S. C., Christian, W. P., Anderson, S. R., Troy, P. J. & Larsson, E. V. (1992). Development of a continuum of services for children and adults with autism and other severe behavior disorders. Research in Developmental Disabilities, 13, 9-25.
63	1991	Harris, S. L., Handleman, J. S., Gordon, R., Kristoff, B., & Fuentes, F. (1991). Changes in cognitive and language functioning of preschool children with autism. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 21, 281-290.
64	1991	Bennett, F. C. & Guralnick, M.J. (1991). Effectiveness of developmental intervention in the first five years of life. Pediatric Clinics of North America, 38, 1513-1528.
65	1990	Waters, L. (1990). Reinforcing the empty fortress: An examination of recent research into the treatment of autism. Educational Studies, 16, 3-16.
66	1989	Lovaas, O. I., Smith, T. and McEachin, J. J. Clarifying comments on the young autism study: reply to Schopler, Short and Mesibov. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 1989, 57(1), pp. 165-167.
67	1988	Sherman, J., Barker, P., Lorimer, P., Swinson, R., & Factor, D. (1988). Treatment of autistic children: Relative effectiveness of residential, out-patient and home-based interventions. Child Psychiatry and Human Development, 19, 109-125.
68	1988	Dunlap, G., Robbins, F.R., Dollman, C., & Plienis, A.J. (1988). Early intervention for young children with autism: A regional training approach. Huntington, WV: Marshall University.
69	1987	Simeonsson, R. J., Oley, J. G. and Rosenthal, S. L. (1987) Early intervention for children with autism. In: M.J. Guralnick and F.C. Bennet, eds. The effectiveness of early intervention for at risk and handicapped children. London: Academic Press, 0123079101.
70	1987	Lovaas, O. I. (1987). Behavioral treatment and normal educational and intellectual functioning in young autistic children. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 55, 3-9.
71	1986	Harris, S.L. (1986). Parents as teachers: A four to seven year follow up of parents of children with autism. Child & Family Behavior Therapy, 8, 39-47.
72	1985	Strain, P.S., Hoyson, M.H., & Jamieson, B.J. (1985). Normally developing preschoolers as intervention agents for autistic‑like children: Effects on class deportment and social interactions. Journal of the Division for Early Childhood. 9, 105‑115.
73	1985	Strain, P.S., Hoyson, M.H., & Jamieson, B.J. (1985). Normally developing preschoolers as intervention agents for autistic‑like children: Effects on class deportment and social interactions. Journal of the Division for Early Childhood. 9, 105‑115.
74	1982	Maurer, R. G. & Damasio, A. R. (1982). Childhood autism from the point of view of behavioral neurology. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 12, 195-205.
75	1978	Ritvo, E. R. & Freeman, B. J. (1978). Current research on the syndrome of autism: The National Society for Autistic Children's definition of the syndrome of autism. American Academy of Child Psychiatry, 565-575.
76	1973	Lovaas, O.I., Koegel, R. L., Simmons, J. Q., & Long, J. (1973). Some generalization and follow-up measures on autistic children in behavior therapy. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 6. 131-166.
77	1969	Lovaas, O. I. and Simmons, J. Q. Manipulation of self-destruction in three retarded children. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 1969, 2, 143-157.
78	1967	Wolf, M. M., Risley, T. R., Johnston, M., Harris, F. & Allen, E. (1967). Application of operant conditioning procedures to the behavior problems of an autistic child: A follow-up and extension. Behaviour Research & Therapy, 5, 103-111.
79	1965	Metz, J. R. (1965). Conditioning generalized imitation in autistic children. Journal of Experimental Child Psychology, 2, 389-399.
80	1965	Lovaas , O. I., Freitag, G., Gold, V. J., Kassorla, I. C. (1965). Recording apparatus and procedure for observation of behaviors of children in free play settings. Journal of Experimental Child Psychology, 2, 108-120.
81	1965	Hewett, J. M. (1965). Teaching speech to an autistic child through operant conditioning. American Journal of Orthopsychiatry, 35, 927-936.
82	1964	Wolf, M. M., Risley, T. & Mees, H. (1964). Application of operant conditioning procedures to the behavior problems of an autistic child. Behavior Research and Therapy, 1, 305-312.
83	1964	Baer, D.M. & Sherman, J. (1964). Reinforcement of generalized imitation in young children. Journal of Experimental Child Psychology, 1, 37-39.
84	1962	Ferster, C. B. & DeMyer, M. K. (1962). A method for the experimental analysis of the behavior of autistic children. American Journal of Orthopsychiatry, 32, 89-98.
85	1961	Ferster, C. B. & DeMyer, M. K. (1961). The development of performances in autistic children in an automatically controlled environment. Journal of Chronic Diseases, 13, 312- 345.
86	1961	Ferster, C. B. (1961). Positive reinforcement and behavioral deficits of autistic children. Child Development, 32, 437-456.

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