Swein Eikeseth, Akershus College ; Tristram Smith, University of Rochester; Erik Jahr, Sigmund Eldevik, Akershus Central Hospital(2002) Intensive Behavioral Treatment at School for 4- to 7-Year-Old Children With Autism - A 1-Year Comparison Controlled Study, Modification, Vol. 26 No. 1, January 2002 49-68 © 2002 Sage Publications.

This study was designed to evaluate 1 year of intensive treatment for 4- to 7-year-old children with autism.  An independent clinician assigned children to either behavioral treatment (n = 13) or eclectic treatment (n = 12).  Assignment was based on availability of personnel to supervise treatment and was not influenced by child characteristics or family preference.  The two treatment groups received similar amounts of treatment (M = 28.52 hours per week at the child’s school).  Children in the behavioral treatment group made significantly larger gains on standardized tests than did children in the eclectic treatment group.  Results suggest that some 4- to 7-year-olds may make large gains with intensive behavioral treatment, that such treatment can be successfully implemented in school settings, and that specific aspects of behavioral treatment (not just its intensity) may account for favorable outcomes.

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, 4, 359-372. The follow-up to Lovaas’ 1987 article, it takes a critical look at the children that achieved normal functioning 6 years later

Lovaas, O.I., Smith, T, & McEachin, J.J. (1989) Clarifying comments on the Young Autism study: Reply to Schopler, Short, and Mesibov. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 57, 165-167. A number of criticisms have been leveled at Lovaas’ two studies, some of which are distortions of the truth. In this publication, Lovaas and his colleagues respond to these criticisms.

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.  This publication summarizes Lovaas’ groundbreaking study in which 9 of 19 children receiving intensive behavioral treatment achieved normal functioning