TreeHouse - The national charity for autism education

TreeHouse - Ambitious about Autism

Main navigation

Search the site

Evidence base for behavioural intervention for autism (1961 - 2007)

The following list comprises a small sample of peer-reviewed publications related to behavioural intervention for autism over the last forty years:

  • Anderson, S.R., Avery, D.L., DiPietro, E.K., Edwards, G.L., & Christian, W.P. (1987). Intensive home-based early intervention with autistic children. Education and Treatment of Children, 10, 352-366.
  • Baer, D.M. (1993). Commentaries on McEachin, Smith and Lovaas: Quasi-random assignment can be as convincing as random assignment. American Journal on Mental Retardation, 97, 373-380.
  • Baer, D.M. & Sherman, J. (1964). Reinforcement of generalized imitation in young children. Journal of Experimental Child Psychology, 1, 37-39.
  • Ben-Itzchak, E., & Zachor, D.A. (2007). The effects of intellectual functioning and autism severity on outcome of early behavioral intervention for children with autism. Research in Developmental Disabilities, 28, 287-303.
  • Bennett, F.C. & Guralnick, M.J. (1991). Effectiveness of developmental intervention in the first five years of life. Pediatric Clinics of North America, 38, 1513-1528.
  • Bibby, P., Eikeseth, S., Martin, N.T., Mudford, O.C., & Reeves, D. (2002). Progress and Outcomes for Children with Autism Receiving Parent-Managed Intensive Interventions. Research in Developmental Disabilities, 23, 81-104.
  • Birnbrauer, J.S., & Leach, D.J. (1993). The Murdoch Early Intervention Program after 2 years. Behaviour Change, 10, 63-74.
  • Butter, E.M., Mulick, J.A., & Metz, B. (2006). Eight case reports of learning recovery in children with pervasive developmental disorders after early intervention. Behavioural Interventions, 21, 227-243.
  • Cattell-Gordon, D. & Cattell-Gordon, D. (1998). The development of an effective applied behavior analysis program for a young child with autism. Infants and Young Children, 10, 79-85.
  • Cohen, H., Amerine-Dickens, M., & Smith, T. (2006). Early intensive Behavioral Treatment: Replication of the UCLA Model in a community setting. Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, 27, 145-155.
  • Eikeseth, S., Smith, T., Jahr, E., & Eldevik, S. (2002). Intensive behavioral treatment at school for 4-7-year-old children with autism: A 1-year comparison controlled study. Behavior Modification, 26, 49-68.
  • Eikeseth, S., Smith, T., Jahr, E., & Eldevik, S. (2007). Outcome for children with autism who began intensive behavioral treatment between ages 4 and 7: A comparison controlled study. Behavior Modification, 31, 264-278.
  • Eldevik, S., Eikeseth, S., Jahr, E., & Smith, T. (2006). Effects of low intensity behavioral treatment for children with autism and mental retardation. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 36, 211-224.
  • Fenske, E.C., Zalenski, S., Krantz, P.J. & McClannahan, L.E. (1985). Age at intervention and treatment outcome for autistic children in a comprehensive intervention program. Analysis and Intervention on Developmental Disabilities, 5, 49-58.
  • Ferster, C.B. & DeMyer, M.K. (1962). A method for the experimental analysis of the behavior of autistic children. American Journal of Orthopsychiatry, 32, 89-98.
  • Ferster, C.B. & DeMyer, M.K. (1961). The development of performances in autistic children in an automatically controlled environment. Journal of Chronic Diseases, 13, 312- 345.
  • Ferster, C.B. (1961). Positive reinforcement and behavioral deficits of autistic children. Child Development, 32, 437-456.
  • Ford, L., Riggs, K.S., Nissenbaum, M. & LaRaia, J. (1994). Facilitating desired behavior in the preschool child with autism: A case study. Contemporary Education, 65, 148-151.
  • Foxx, R.M. (1993). Rapid effects awaiting independent replication. American Journal on Mental Retardation, 97, 375-376.
  • Green, G., Brennan, L.C., & Fein, D. (2002). Intensive behavioral treatment for a toddler at high risk for autism. Behavior Modification, 26, 69-102.
  • Gresham, F.M. & MacMillan, D.L. (1997). Autistic Recovery? An analysis and critique of the empirical evidence on the Early Intervention Project. Behavioral Disorders, 22, 185-201.
  • Guralnick, M.J. (1998). Effectiveness of early intervention for vulnerable children: A developmental perspective. American Journal on Mental Retardation, 102, 319-345.
  • Harris, S.L., & Handleman, J.S. (2000). Age and IQ at intake as predictors of placement for young children with autism: A four- to six-year follow-up. Journal of Autism & Developmental Disorders, 30, 137-142.
  • Harris, S.L., Handleman, J.S., Gordon, R., Kristoff, B., & Fuentes, F. (1991). Changes in cognitive and language functioning of preschool children with autism. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 21, 281-290.
  • Hewett, J.M. (1965). Teaching speech to an autistic child through operant conditioning. American Journal of Orthopsychiatry, 35, 927-936.
  • Howard, J.S., Sparkman, C.R., Cohen, H.G., Green, G., & Stanislaw, H. (2005). A comparison of intensive behavior analytic and eclectic treatments for young children with autism. Research in Developmental Disabilities, 26, 359-383.
  • Jacobson, J.W., Mulick, J.A., & Green, G. (1998). Cost-benefit estimates for early intensive behavioral intervention for young children with autism: General models and single state case. Behavioral Interventions, 13, 201-226.
  • Kazdin, A.E. (1993). Replication and extension of behavioral treatment of autistic disorder. American Journal on Mental Retardation, 97, 377-380.
  • 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.
  • Luce, S.C., Christian, W.P., Anderson, S.R., Troy, P.J. & Larsson, E.V. (1992). Development of a continuum of services for children and adults with autism and other severe behavior disorders. Research in Developmental Disabilities, 13, 9-25.
  • Matson, J.L., Benavidez, D.A., Compton, L.S., Paclwaskyj, T., & Baglio, C. (1996). Behavioral treatment of autistic persons - A review of research from 1980 to the present. Research in Developmental Disabilities, 7, 388-451.
  • Maurer, R.G. & Damasio, A.R. (1982). Childhood autism from the point of view of behavioral neurology. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 12, 195-205.
  • McClannahan, L.E. & Krantz, P.J. (1997). Princeton Child Development Institute. Behavior and Social Issues, 7, 65-68.
  • 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, 97, 359-372.
  • Metz, J.R. (1965). Conditioning generalized imitation in autistic children. Journal of Experimental Child Psychology, 2, 389-399.
  • Mudford, O.C., Martin, N.T., Eikeseth, S., & Bibby, P. (2000). Parent-managed Behavioral Treatment for Pre-school Children with Autism: Some Characteristics of UK Programs. Research in Developmental Disabilities, 22, 173-182.
  • Ozonoff, S. & Cathcart, K. (1998). Effectiveness of a home program intervention for young children with autism. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 28, 25-32.
  • Ramey, C.T. & Ramey, S.L. (1998). Early intervention and early experience. American Psychologist, 53, 109-120.
  • Remington, B., Hastings, R.P., Kovshoff, H., Espinosa, F., Jahr, E., Brown, T., et al. (2007). Early intensive behavioral intervention: Outcomes for children with autism and their parents after two years. American Journal of Mental Retardation, 112, 418-438.
  • Ritvo, E.R. & Freeman, B.J. (1978). Current research on the syndrome of autism: The National Society for Autistic Children's definition of the syndrome of autism. American Academy of Child Psychiatry, 565-575.
  • Sallows, G.O. & Graupner, T.D. (2005). Intensive behavioral treatment for children with autism: Four-year outcome and predictors. American Journal on Mental Retardation, 110, 417-438.
  • Sheinkopf, S.J. & Siegel, B. (1998). Home-based behavioral treatment of young children with autism. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 28, 15-23.
  • Smith, T. & Lovaas, O.I. (1998). Intensive and early behavioral intervention with autism: The UCLA Young Autism Project. Infants and Young Children, 10, 67-78.
  • Smith, T. (1999). Outcome of early intervention for children with autism. Clinical Psychology: Science and Practice, 6, 33-49.
  • Smith, T., Buch, G.A., & Gamby, T.E. (2000). Parent-directed, intensive early intervention for children with pervasive developmental disorder. Research in Developmental Disabilities, 21(4), 297-309.
  • Smith, T., Eikeseth, S., Klevstrand, M & Lovaas, O.I. (1997). Intensive behavioral treatment for preschoolers with severe mental retardation and pervasive developmental disorder. American Journal on Mental Retardation, 102, 238-249.
  • Smith, T., Groen, A.D., & Wynne, J.W. (2000). Randomized trial of intensive early intervention for children with pervasive developmental disorder. American Journal on Mental Retardation, 105, 269-285.
  • Waters, L. (1990). Reinforcing the empty fortress: An examination of recent research into the treatment of autism. Educational Studies, 16, 3-16.
  • Weiss, M. (1999). Differential rates of skill acquisition and outcomes of early intensive behavioral intervention for autism. Behavioral Interventions, 14, 3-22.
  • Wolf, M.M., Risley, T. & Mees, H. (1964). Application of operant conditioning procedures to the behavior problems of an autistic child. Behavior Research and Therapy, 1, 305-312.
  • Wolf, M.M., Risley, T.R., Johnston, M., Harris, F. & Allen, E. (1967). Application of operant conditioning procedures to the behavior problems of an autistic child: A follow-up and extension. Behaviour Research & Therapy, 5, 103-111.

Back to top

Other pages in this section

TreeHouse e-news Sign up for all the latest news and information from TreeHouse
Sign up now
National Centre for Autism Education Find out all the latest information from TreeHouse's National Centre for Autism Education
Click here

talk about autism

talk about autism landing page TreeHouse is launching talk about autism, a new social networking site for parents and professionals Learn more

TreeHouse has launched a new report

Inclusion policy report front cover Entitled ‘Improving Inclusion: Getting inclusive education right for children with autism’. Learn more

Parent Support Project

TreeHouse Parent Support Project The PSP will be hosting the 'Walk in Our Shoes' event, to take place throughout England in December 2008 Learn more