Lovaas
"WHAT IS LOVAAS?"
The Lovaas method is an educational approach for children with Autism based on research carried out for over 30 years by Dr O. Ivar Lovaas.
Dr Lovaas conducted many educational trials with autistic children. In these trials each of the participating children received 40 hours a week of structured behavioural therapy. Dr Lovaas published his results in 1987. He claimed that 47% of children who worked 40 hours at home per week achieved normal functioning by the age of seven, 40% of the children made progress but still displayed autistic characteristics and 10% received little or no benefit. Follow-up studies have shown that the majority of young children who are given therapy maintain their gains into adolescence.
While many people use the term ‘Lovaas Therapy’ interchangeably with other types of intensive behavioural treatment, ‘Lovaas Therapy’ is better regarded as a subset of ABA (Applied Behavioural Analysis).
"WHAT DOES THE LOVAAS METHOD INVOLVE?"
The Lovaas method involves early intensive behavioural therapy. Typically, the Lovaas method is used for autistic children from the ages of 2 and 8 and usually never any later than the age of 12.
A Lovaas programme usually consists of 35-40 hrs per week of intensive interaction. Studies show the importance of maintaining these hours in order to get the best results. The interaction is provided on a one-to-one basis for six to eight hours per day, five to seven days a week, for around two or more years. Family participation is an integral element of the interaction. It is believed that any skills which are learnt by a child in a classroom or in a clinic will not be transferred into the home unless there is parental/family involvement.
Usually all the basic skills which the child needs to learn will be broken down into tasks and when these tasks are achieved the child is ‘rewarded’. Examples of such ‘rewards’ may be getting to play with a favourite toy, verbal praise or even the giving of food. These artificial reinforcers which encourage the child are gradually replaced by more social and everyday reinforcers.
A Lovaas programme itself is carefully graduated. A child begins with basic tasks, often involving self-help. It is said that only after these basic tasks have been mastered by the child will the child learn to express themselves and interact with others. In more advanced stages of Lovaas intervention a child can be taught either at home or at school.
"WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF LOVAAS?"
Advocates of the Lovaas method believe that with early intervention some children with Autism are able to achieve ‘normal’ levels of functioning by the age of 7. It is claimed that these children should then be able to attend a ‘mainstream’ school and progress without needing further high levels of intervention. With most children though the Lovaas method may only operate to decrease inappropriate behaviour and to encourage more socially acceptable behaviour.
Although there are a number of other ABA approaches, the Lovaas method is probably the most well known and most extensively researched of any intervention for children with Autism.
The Lovaas method is an educational approach for children with Autism based on research carried out for over 30 years by Dr O. Ivar Lovaas.
Dr Lovaas conducted many educational trials with autistic children. In these trials each of the participating children received 40 hours a week of structured behavioural therapy. Dr Lovaas published his results in 1987. He claimed that 47% of children who worked 40 hours at home per week achieved normal functioning by the age of seven, 40% of the children made progress but still displayed autistic characteristics and 10% received little or no benefit. Follow-up studies have shown that the majority of young children who are given therapy maintain their gains into adolescence.
While many people use the term ‘Lovaas Therapy’ interchangeably with other types of intensive behavioural treatment, ‘Lovaas Therapy’ is better regarded as a subset of ABA (Applied Behavioural Analysis).
"WHAT DOES THE LOVAAS METHOD INVOLVE?"
The Lovaas method involves early intensive behavioural therapy. Typically, the Lovaas method is used for autistic children from the ages of 2 and 8 and usually never any later than the age of 12.
A Lovaas programme usually consists of 35-40 hrs per week of intensive interaction. Studies show the importance of maintaining these hours in order to get the best results. The interaction is provided on a one-to-one basis for six to eight hours per day, five to seven days a week, for around two or more years. Family participation is an integral element of the interaction. It is believed that any skills which are learnt by a child in a classroom or in a clinic will not be transferred into the home unless there is parental/family involvement.
Usually all the basic skills which the child needs to learn will be broken down into tasks and when these tasks are achieved the child is ‘rewarded’. Examples of such ‘rewards’ may be getting to play with a favourite toy, verbal praise or even the giving of food. These artificial reinforcers which encourage the child are gradually replaced by more social and everyday reinforcers.
A Lovaas programme itself is carefully graduated. A child begins with basic tasks, often involving self-help. It is said that only after these basic tasks have been mastered by the child will the child learn to express themselves and interact with others. In more advanced stages of Lovaas intervention a child can be taught either at home or at school.
"WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF LOVAAS?"
Advocates of the Lovaas method believe that with early intervention some children with Autism are able to achieve ‘normal’ levels of functioning by the age of 7. It is claimed that these children should then be able to attend a ‘mainstream’ school and progress without needing further high levels of intervention. With most children though the Lovaas method may only operate to decrease inappropriate behaviour and to encourage more socially acceptable behaviour.
Although there are a number of other ABA approaches, the Lovaas method is probably the most well known and most extensively researched of any intervention for children with Autism.
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This information is meant to be helpful but Douglas Silas Solicitors cannot be responsible for any loss caused by reliance upon it. If you have concerns about your child, please seek professional educational/healthcare advice. Should you find anything which you believe to be inaccurate please Contact Us as soon as possible.
