Is ABA evidence-based?
To date, an estimated 800+ peer-reviewed research articles have demonstrated the effectiveness of using specific ABA strategies to teach a variety of specific skills (e.g., language, play, daily living, socially-appropriate behaviors) to people who are diagnosed with autism. Additionally, several studies incorporated a comparison group to determine that young children who received ABA at least 19-40 hours per week had better outcomes than children who did not. Please see the links below for the abstracts of studies which demonstrate the overall effectiveness of behavioral interventions, as compared to eclectic or other interventions. When available, the reference is linked to an abstract.
Howard, Sparkman, Cohen, Green, and Stanislaw (2005) A comparison of intensive behavior analytic and eclectic treatments for young children with autism. Research in Developmental Disabilities, Volume 26, Issue 4, pages 359-383.
Lovaas (1987) Behavioral treatment and normal educational and intellectual functioning in young autistic children. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology. Vol 55(1) 3-9.
McEachin, Smith, and Lovaas (1993) Long-term outcome for children with autism who received early intensive behavioral treatment. American Journal on Mental Retardation. (4):359-72; discussion 373-91.
Smith, Groen, and Wynne (2000) Randomized Trial of Intensive Early Intervention for Children With Pervasive Developmental Disorder. American Journal on Mental Retardation: Vol. 105, No. 4, pp. 269–285.
Eikeseth, Smith, Jahr, and Eldevek (2002) Intensive Behavioral Treatment at School for 4- to 7-Year-Old Children with Autism. Behavior Modification, Vol. 26, No. 1, 49-68.
Remington, Hastings, Kovshoff, Espinosa, Jahr, Brown, Alsford, Lemaic, and Ward (2007) Early Intensive Behavioral Intervention: Outcomes for Children With Autism and Their Parents After Two Years. American Journal on Mental Retardation 112 (6), 418-438.
Reed, P. Osborne, L. A.; Corness, M. (2007). The Real-World Effectiveness of Early Teaching Interventions for Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder. Exceptional Children. 73(4) 417-433.
No link available:
Bimbrauer & Leach (1993). The Murdoch Early Intervention Program After Two Years. Behaviour Change 10(2) 63-74.
Howard, Sparkman, Cohen, Green, and Stanislaw (2005) A comparison of intensive behavior analytic and eclectic treatments for young children with autism. Research in Developmental Disabilities, Volume 26, Issue 4, pages 359-383.
Lovaas (1987) Behavioral treatment and normal educational and intellectual functioning in young autistic children. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology. Vol 55(1) 3-9.
McEachin, Smith, and Lovaas (1993) Long-term outcome for children with autism who received early intensive behavioral treatment. American Journal on Mental Retardation. (4):359-72; discussion 373-91.
Smith, Groen, and Wynne (2000) Randomized Trial of Intensive Early Intervention for Children With Pervasive Developmental Disorder. American Journal on Mental Retardation: Vol. 105, No. 4, pp. 269–285.
Eikeseth, Smith, Jahr, and Eldevek (2002) Intensive Behavioral Treatment at School for 4- to 7-Year-Old Children with Autism. Behavior Modification, Vol. 26, No. 1, 49-68.
Remington, Hastings, Kovshoff, Espinosa, Jahr, Brown, Alsford, Lemaic, and Ward (2007) Early Intensive Behavioral Intervention: Outcomes for Children With Autism and Their Parents After Two Years. American Journal on Mental Retardation 112 (6), 418-438.
Reed, P. Osborne, L. A.; Corness, M. (2007). The Real-World Effectiveness of Early Teaching Interventions for Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder. Exceptional Children. 73(4) 417-433.
No link available:
Bimbrauer & Leach (1993). The Murdoch Early Intervention Program After Two Years. Behaviour Change 10(2) 63-74.
