The 1987 study published by Ivar Lovaas and the UCLA Young Autism Project is among the most cited and most debated research contributions in the history of applied behavior analysis. The study reported that nearly half of the young children who received intensive behavioral treatment achieved outcomes indistinguishable from their typically developing peers — a finding that transformed the landscape of autism intervention, drove the expansion of insurance coverage for ABA services, and established intensive behavioral treatment as the standard of care for young children with ASD.
Provider: Autism Partnership Foundation
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Join Free →This next chapter has a special guest appearance by the one and only Dr. Ronald Leaf! Ron Leaf was an instrumental part of the UCLA Young Autism Project and the 1987 outcome study. During this chapter Justin, Joe, and Ron will discuss what happened at the UCLA Young Autism Project and what it was like working with Ivar Lovaas. In doing so we will also be dispelling some common myths about UCLA, Lovaas, and behavioral intervention. The three co-hosts will also discuss how current intervention compares to past intervention and ways to continue to improve the field of ABA and the lives of individuals diagnosed with ASD.
| Certification Body | Credits | Type |
|---|---|---|
| BACB | 1 | General |
Side-by-side comparison with a clinical decision framework
Research-backed educational guide for behavior analysts
Research-backed answers to common clinical questions
All behavior-analytic intervention is individualized. The information on this page is for educational purposes and does not constitute clinical advice. Treatment decisions should be informed by the best available published research, individualized assessment, and obtained with the informed consent of the client or their legal guardian. Behavior analysts are responsible for practicing within the boundaries of their competence and adhering to the BACB Ethics Code for Behavior Analysts.