A professor emeritus in UCLA's psychology department, Lovaas pioneered the Lovaas Insitute for Early Intervention, a research-based program that provides intensive and early behavioral treatment for children with autism. According to the Autism Society of America, autism is a developmental disability usually occurring within the first three years of life. Behaviors associated with autism are difficulties in verbal and non-verbal communication, social interactions, and leisure or play activities. In some cases, aggressiveness or self-injury, repeated body movements such as rocking and waving hands, and heightened sensitivity in the five senses occurs. We don't think that these autistic kids are sick.
Early intervention helps autistic children by using reinforcements to teach behaviors.
He taught her to sit at his command by using food, drink, and praise as positive reinforcements. Even though she screamed and objected at first, she gradually obeyed without throwing tantrums. It's a lot of work. It's a lot of patience, but it's really rewarding when you see the child making progress. Tricia Plank listened carefully to Lovaas' presentation.