Efficacy Research & Studies
| | 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Many studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of ABA in teaching a myriad of skills. Below is a list of some of those articles.
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Year |
Publication |
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| 1 | 2007 | Remington, B., et al (2007) Earlyintensive behavioural intervention: Outcomes for children with Autism andtheir parents after two years. Americal Journal on Mental Retardation,112(6), 418-438. |
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| 2 | 2007 | Eikeseth, S., et al (2007). Outcome forchildren with autism who began intensive behavioral treatment between ages 4and 7: A comparison controlled study. Behavior Modification, 31,264-278. |
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| 3 | 2006 | Humphrey N. and Parkinson G. (2006).Research on interventions for children and young people on the autisticspectrum: a critical perspective. Journal of Research in SpecialEducational Needs, 6(2), pp. 76-86. |
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| 4 | 2006 | Eldevik, S., Eikeseth, S., Jahr, E.,& Smith, T. (2006). Effects of low intensity behavioral treatment forchildren with autism and mental retardation. Journal of Autism andDevelopmental Disorders, 36, 211-224. | |
| 5 | 2006 | Zachor, D.A, et al., Change in autism core symptomswith intervention, Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders (2007),doi:10.1016/j.rasd.2006.12.001 |
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| 6 | 2006 | Cohen, H., Amerine-Dickens, M., &Smith, T. (2006). Early intensive Behavioral Treatment: Replication of theUCLA Model in a community setting. Developmental and BehavioralPediatrics, 27, 145-155. |
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| 7 | 2006 | Butter, E. M.., Mulick, J. A., & Metz, B. (2006). Eightcase reports of learning recovery in children with pervasive developmentaldisorders after early intervention. Behavioural Interventions, 21,227-243. |
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| 8 | 2005 | Sallows, G.O. & Graupner, T. D.(2005). Intensive behavioral treatment for children with autism: Four-yearoutcome and predictors. American Journal on Mental Retardation, 110,417-438. |
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| 9 | 2005 | Reed, P., Osborne L. A. and Corness, M.(2005). The effectiveness of early intervention programmes for autisticspectrum disorders: a report for the South East Regional Special EducationalNeeds Partnership. | |
| 10 | 2005 | Howard, J. S., Sparkman, C. R., Cohen, H.G., Green, G., & Stanislaw, H. (2005). A comparison of intensive behavioranalytic and eclectic treatments for young children with autism. Research in Developmental Disabilities, 26, 359-383. |
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| 11 | 2004 | Shea, V. (2004). A perspective on theresearch 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. |
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| 13 | 2004 | Bengt, P. and Bengt, S. (2004)Evidence-based treatment and autism. In: Ryaskin O.T. ed. Focus on autismresearch. New York:Nova Biomedical Books, pp. 1-48. |
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| 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-oldchildren with autism: A 1-year comparison controlled study. BehaviorModification, 26, 49-68. |
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| 16 | 2002 | Bibby, P., Eikeseth, S., Martin, N.T.,Mudford, O.C., & Reeves, D. (2002). Progress and Outcomes for Childrenwith Autism Receiving Parent-Managed Intensive Interventions. Research inDevelopmental Disabilities, 23, 81-104. | |
| 17 | 2001 | Mudford, O.C., Martin, N.T., Eikeseth,S., & Bibby, P. (2001). Parent-managed behavioral treatment for preschoolchildren 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 forchildren with autism receiving parent-managed intensive interventions. Research in Developmental Disabilities.22, 425-447. |
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| 19 | 2001 | National Research Council:Committee on Educational Interventions for Children with Autism (2001). EducatingChildren with Autism. Ed. Catherine Lord and James P. McGee, Division ofBehavioral and Social Sciences and Education, National Research Council. Washington, D.C.: National Academy Press | |
| 20 | 2001 | Connor, M. (2001). The Lovaasapproach re-visited. Guildford: SurreyCounty Council Educational Psychology Service. | |
| 21 | 2001 | Committee on ChildrenWith Disabilities (2001).TechnicalReport: The Pediatrician's Role in the Diagnosis and Management of AutisticSpectrum Disorder in Children.Pediatrics, 107, e85. |
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| 22 | 2001 | American Academy Of Pediatrics (2001). Policy Statement: ThePediatrician's Role in the Diagnosis and Management of Autistic SpectrumDisorder in Children (RE060018) Pediatrics, 107, 1221-1226. | |
| 23 | 2000 | Smith, T., Buch, G.A., & Gamby, T.E.(2000).Parent-directed, intensiveearly 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 childrenwith pervasive developmental disorder. American Journal on MentalRetardation, 105, 269-285. | |
| 25 | 2000 | Mudford, O.C., Martin, N.T., Eikeseth,S., & Bibby, P. (2000). Parent-managed Behavioral Treatment forPre-school Children with Autism: Some Characteristics of UK Programs. Researchin 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).Ageand IQ at intake as predictors of placement for young children with autism: afour- to six-year follow-up. Journal ofAutism and Developmental Disorders, 30, 137-142. | |
| 28 | 2000 | Auton et al. v. AGBC. (2000).BritishColumbia Supreme Court 1142. | |
| 29 | 1999 | Volkmar, F., Cook, E.H., Pomeroy, J., Realmuto, G., &Tanguay, P. (1999). Practice parameters for the assessment and treatment ofchildren, adolescents, and adults with autism and other pervasivedevelopmental disorders. Journal of theAmerican Academy of Child and AdolescentPsychiatry, 38(Suppl):32S-54S. |
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| 30 | 1999 | U.S. Surgeon General:Department of Health and Human Services (1999). Mental Health: A Report ofthe U.S. Surgeon General. Rockville, MD: Department of Health andHuman Services, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration,Center for Mental Health Services, National Institutes of Health, NationalInstitute of Mental Health |
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| 31 | 1999 | New York State Department of Health Early InterventionProgram (1999).Clinical Practice Guideline: The Guideline Technical Report,Autism/Pervasive Developmental Disorders, Assessment and Intervention forYoung Children.Publication#4217.Health Education Services, P.O. Box 7126, Albany, NY 12224. | |
| 32 | 1999 | Weiss, M. (1999). Differential rates ofskill acquisition and outcomes of early intensive behavioral intervention forautism. Behavioral Interventions, 14, 3-22. |
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| 33 | 1999 | Smith, T. (1999). Outcome of earlyintervention for children with autism. Clinical Psychology: Science andPractice, 6, 33-49. |
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| 34 | 1999 | Satcher, D.(1999).Mental health: A report of the surgeon general. U.S. PublicHealth Service.Bethesda, MD. | |
| 35 | 1999 | Sallows, G. O., & Graupner, T. D. (1999, November). ReplicatingLovaas’ treatment and findings: Preliminary results. Paper presented atAutis99 [On-line]. Retrieved August 10, 2003, fromhttp//trainland.tripod.com/gleno.htm |
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| 36 | 1999 | Filipek, P.A., et.al. (1999). The screening and diagnosis of autistic spectrum disorders. Journal of Autism and DevelopmentalDisorders, 29, 439-484. |
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| 37 | 1998 | Smith, T. & Lovaas, O. I. (1998).Intensive and early behavioral intervention with autism: The UCLA YoungAutism Project. Infants and Young Children, 10, 67-78. |
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| 38 | 1998 | Sheinkopf, S. J. & Siegel, B. (1998).Home-based behavioral treatment of young children with autism. Journal ofAutism and Developmental Disorders, 28, 15-23. | |
| 39 | 1998 | Rogers, S.J. (1998).Empirically supported comprehensive treatments for young children withautism. Journal of Clinical ChildPsychology. 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. Journalof Autism and Developmental Disorders, 28, 25-32. | |
| 42 | 1998 | Lynch, S.Case study: intensive behavioural intervention with a 7-year-old girlwith autism. Autism, 1998, 2(2), pp. 181-197. |
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| 43 | 1998 | Jacobson,J. W., Mulick, J. A., & Green, G. (1998). Cost-benefit estimates forearly 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: Adevelopmental perspective. American Journal on Mental Retardation, 102,319-345. |
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| 45 | 1998 | Cattell-Gordon,D. & Cattell-Gordon, D. (1998). The development of an effective appliedbehavior analysis program for a young child with autism. Infants andYoung Children, 10, 79-85. |
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| 46 | 1997 | SmithT., Eikeseth S., Klevstrand M., Lovaas O.I. Outcome of early intervention for children withpervasive developmental disorder and severe mental retardation. American Journal on Mental Retardation 102 (1997): 228-249. |
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| 47 | 1997 | McClannahan, L. E. & Krantz, P. J.(1997). Princeton Child Development Institute. Behavior and SocialIssues, 7, 65-68. |
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| 48 | 1997 | Gresham, F. M. & MacMillan, D. L.(1997). Autistic Recovery? An analysis and critique of the empirical evidenceon the Early Intervention Project. Behavioral Disorders, 22,185-201. |
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| 49 | 1996 | Matson, J. L., Benavidez, D. A., Compton,L. S., Paclwaskyj, T., & Baglio, C. (1996). Behavioral treatment ofautistic persons - A review of research from 1980 to the present. Researchin Developmental Disabilities, 7, 388-451. |
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| 50 | 1995 | Perry, R., Cohen, I.and DeCarlo, R. Case study: deterioration, autism, and recovery in twosiblings. Journal of the American Academy of Child andAdolescent 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. AutismResearch Review International, 8, 3. | |
| 53 | 1994 | Ford, L., Riggs, K. S., Nissenbaum, M.& LaRaia, J. (1994). Facilitating desired behavior in the preschool childwith autism: A case study. Contemporary Education, 65, 148-151. | |
| 54 | 1993 | Lovaas, O.I. (1993). The development of atreatment research project for developmentally disabled and autisticchildren. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 26, 617-630. |
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| 55 | 1993 | Mundy, P. (1993).Normalversus high-functioning status in children with autism.AmericanJournal 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 earlyintensive behavioral treatment. American Journal on Mental Retardation,97, 359-372. | |
| 57 | 1993 | Mesibov, G. B. (1993) Treatment outcomeis encouraging. American Journal on Mental Retardation, 97(4), pp.379-380. |
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| 58 | 1993 | Kazdin, A. E. (1993). Replication andextension of behavioural treatment of autistic disorder. American Journalon Mental Retardation, 97, 377-380. |
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| 59 | 1993 | Foxx, R. M. (1993). Rapid effectsawaiting independent replication. American Journal on Mental Retardation,97, 375-376. |
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| 60 | 1993 | Birnbrauer, J. S., & Leach, D. J.(1993). The Murdoch Early Intervention Program after 2 years. BehaviourChange, 10, 63-74. |
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| 61 | 1993 | Baer, D. M. (1993). Commentaries onMcEachin, Smith and Lovaas: Quasi-random assignment can be as convincing asrandom assignment. American Journal on Mental Retardation, 97,373-380. |
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| 62 | 1992 | Luce, S. C., Christian, W. P., Anderson, S. R., Troy,P. J. & Larsson, E. V. (1992). Development of a continuum of services forchildren and adults with autism and other severe behavior disorders. Researchin Developmental Disabilities, 13, 9-25. |
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| 63 | 1991 | Harris, S. L., Handleman, J. S., Gordon,R., Kristoff, B., & Fuentes, F. (1991). Changes in cognitive and languagefunctioning of preschool children with autism. Journal of Autism andDevelopmental Disorders, 21, 281-290. | |
| 64 | 1991 | Bennett, F. C. & Guralnick, M.J.(1991). Effectiveness of developmental intervention in the first five yearsof life. Pediatric Clinics of North America,38, 1513-1528. | |
| 65 | 1990 | Waters, L. (1990). Reinforcing the emptyfortress: An examination of recent research into the treatment of autism. EducationalStudies, 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 ofresidential, 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 withautism: A regional training approach. Huntington,WV: Marshall University. | |
| 69 | 1987 | Simeonsson, R. J., Oley, J. G. andRosenthal, S. L. (1987) Early intervention for children with autism. In:M.J. Guralnick and F.C. Bennet, eds. The effectiveness of earlyintervention for at risk and handicapped children. London: Academic Press, 0123079101. | |
| 70 | 1987 | Lovaas, O. I. (1987). Behavioraltreatment and normal educational and intellectual functioning in youngautistic children. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 55,3-9. | |
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71 |
1986 | Harris,S.L. (1986). Parents as teachers: A four to seven year follow up of parentsof children with autism. Child &Family Behavior Therapy, 8, 39-47. | |
| 72 | 1985 | Strain,P.S., Hoyson, M.H., & Jamieson, B.J. (1985). Normally developingpreschoolers as intervention agents for autistic-like children: Effects onclass deportment and social interactions. Journalof the Division for Early Childhood. 9,105-115. | |
| 73 | 1985 | Strain,P.S., Hoyson, M.H., & Jamieson, B.J. (1985). Normally developingpreschoolers as intervention agents for autistic-like children: Effects onclass deportment and social interactions. Journalof 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. Journalof 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 AutisticChildren'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-upmeasures on autistic children in behavior therapy. Journal of AppliedBehavior Analysis, 6. 131-166. |
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| 77 | 1969 | Lovaas, O. I. and Simmons, J. Q.Manipulation of self-destruction in three retarded children. Journal ofApplied Behavior Analysis, 1969, 2, 143-157. |
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| 78 | 1967 | Wolf, M. M., Risley, T. R., Johnston, M., Harris,F. & Allen, E. (1967). Application of operant conditioning procedures tothe behavior problems of an autistic child: A follow-up and extension. BehaviourResearch & Therapy, 5, 103-111. |
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| 79 | 1965 | Metz, J. R. (1965). Conditioning generalized imitation in autisticchildren. Journal of Experimental Child Psychology, 2, 389-399. |
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| 80 | 1965 | Lovaas , O. I.,Freitag, G., Gold, V. J., Kassorla, I. C. (1965). Recording apparatus and procedurefor observation of behaviors of children in free play settings. Journalof Experimental Child Psychology, 2, 108-120. | |
| 81 | 1965 | Hewett, J. M. (1965). Teaching speech toan autistic child through operant conditioning. American Journal ofOrthopsychiatry, 35, 927-936. | |
| 82 | 1964 | Wolf, M. M., Risley, T. & Mees, H.(1964). Application of operant conditioning procedures to the behaviorproblems of an autistic child. Behavior Research and Therapy, 1,305-312. |
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| 83 | 1964 | Baer, D.M. & Sherman, J. (1964).Reinforcement of generalized imitation in young children. Journal ofExperimental Child Psychology, 1, 37-39. | |
| 84 | 1962 | Ferster, C. B. & DeMyer, M. K.(1962). A method for the experimental analysis of the behavior of autisticchildren. American Journal of Orthopsychiatry, 32, 89-98. |
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| 85 | 1961 | Ferster, C. B. & DeMyer, M. K.(1961). The development of performances in autistic children in anautomatically controlled environment. Journal of Chronic Diseases, 13,312- 345. |
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| 86 | 1961 | Ferster, C. B. (1961). Positivereinforcement and behavioral deficits of autistic children. ChildDevelopment, 32, 437-456. |
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