Lovaas technique

The Lovaas technique, a form of Applied Behavior Analysis, is a therapy for children diagnosed with autismor related disorders. It is an intensive behavioral intervention which is carried out early in the development of autistic children. It was developed by O. Ivar Lovaas. Based on the 1987 research done by Lovaas and research assistants, 47% of those children that received 30-40 hours of intensive therapy were mainstreamed into regular classrooms, and were classified as "indistinguishable" from their peers in follow-up studies. While the therapy has always relied principally on positive reinforcementsof preferred behavior, Lovaas's original technique also included aversivessuch as striking or shouting "No!" at the child. A review of the literature [1]by autisticactivistMichelle Dawsonfinds that the method has become less effective since these stimuli were abandoned.

External links

• Lovaas Institute for Early Intervention
• The Lovaas Approach Revisited
• Lovaas: The Man Behind ABA

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It uses material from the http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lovaas+technique Wikipedia article Lovaas technique.