Ole Ivar Lovaas
Encyclopedia
Ole Ivar Løvaas, Ph.D. was a clinical psychologist
at UCLA. He is considered to be one of the fathers of applied behavior analysis
(ABA) therapy for autism
through his development of the Lovaas technique
and the first to provide evidence that the behavior of autistic children can be modified through teaching. His method is the only modality approved by the Surgeon General's Office and has over thirty years of scientific research. In recent times, people refer to his method as ABA.
In his original studies in the late 1950s aversives such as electric shock successfully treated approximately 50% of individuals engaging in instances of extreme self-injury whose life expectancy was reduced by secondary infection. Subsequent studies relied on extinction
, in these cases, giving attention when not engaging in self-injury.
on children with atypical gender behaviors. The subject of the first of these studies, a child of 4 years 11 months at the inception of treatment, committed suicide as an adult; his family attribute the suicide to this treatment.
Psychologist
Psychologist is a professional or academic title used by individuals who are either:* Clinical professionals who work with patients in a variety of therapeutic contexts .* Scientists conducting psychological research or teaching psychology in a college...
at UCLA. He is considered to be one of the fathers of applied behavior analysis
Applied Behavior Analysis
Applied behavior analysis is a science that involves using modern behavioral learning theory to modify behaviors. Behavior analysts reject the use of hypothetical constructs and focus on the observable relationship of behavior to the environment...
(ABA) therapy for autism
Autism
Autism is a disorder of neural development characterized by impaired social interaction and communication, and by restricted and repetitive behavior. These signs all begin before a child is three years old. Autism affects information processing in the brain by altering how nerve cells and their...
through his development of the Lovaas technique
Lovaas technique
LOVAAS technique, which is known to the general public as Applied behavior analysis , as well as Intensive behavioral intervention , and Early intensive behavioral intervention , is a form of treatment guided by ABA and developed by Dr. Ivar Lovaas, a psychology professor at UCLA...
and the first to provide evidence that the behavior of autistic children can be modified through teaching. His method is the only modality approved by the Surgeon General's Office and has over thirty years of scientific research. In recent times, people refer to his method as ABA.
Lovaas method
Findings of independent peer reviewed studies show benefits associated with the Lovaas method. Systematic reviews have also not found definitive evidence to support claims that the Lovaas method is superior to other active interventions. (Please note that the article referenced merely accuses the Lovaas study of being inferior and does not support its claims)In his original studies in the late 1950s aversives such as electric shock successfully treated approximately 50% of individuals engaging in instances of extreme self-injury whose life expectancy was reduced by secondary infection. Subsequent studies relied on extinction
Extinction (psychology)
Extinction is the conditioning phenomenon in which a previously learned response to a cue is reduced when the cue is presented in the absence of the previously paired aversive or appetitive stimulus.-Fear conditioning:...
, in these cases, giving attention when not engaging in self-injury.
Work with George Rekers on gender-variant children
In addition to his extensive work with autistic children, in the 1970s Lovaas co-authored four papers with George RekersGeorge Alan Rekers
George Alan Rekers is an American psychologist and ordained Southern Baptist minister. He is emeritus professor of Neuropsychiatry and Behavioral Science at the University of South Carolina School of Medicine....
on children with atypical gender behaviors. The subject of the first of these studies, a child of 4 years 11 months at the inception of treatment, committed suicide as an adult; his family attribute the suicide to this treatment.
Further reading
- "Screams, Slaps & Love: A surprising, shocking treatment helps far-gone mental cripples". Life magazine, 1965.