Applied Behavior Analysis & Autism Research List
2012 Research
→Early Intensive Behavioral Intervention (EIBI) for Young Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD)
- A meta-analysis studying early intensive behavioral intervention based upon applied behavior analysis (ABA) principles
- Included 1 randomized controlled trial and 3 clinical controlled trials (a total of 203 individuals from all 4 trials included in analysis)
- Focused on the efficacy of early intensive behavioral intervention in regard to changes in functional behaviors and skills in children with autism
→Outcomes of a Behavioral Education Model for Children With Autism in a Mainstream School Setting
- Study based on an applied behavior analysis (ABA) classroom intervention in a mainstream school setting
- Included 11 children with autism in phase 1 and 27 children with autism in phase 2 (9 in study group and 18 in control group)
- Measured efficacy of “ABA classroom” versus “education as usual” classroom in terms of group analysis for IQ and adaptive behavior
→Why Reinvent the Wheel? A Behaviour Analyst’s Reflections on Pedagogy for Inclusion for Students with Intellectual and Developmental Disability
- An opinion paper
- Discusses the education needs of children with intellectual and developmental disabilities
- Argues that evidence supporting the use of behavior analysis for individuals with autism suggests that behavior analysis should be applied to all children with intellectual and developmental disabilities
2011 Research
→Early Intervention in 208 Swedish Preschooler with Autism Spectrum Disorder. A Prospective Naturalistic Study
- Prospective naturalistic study, with researchers blinded to treatment
- Included 208 children with autism
- Focused on efficacy of intensive applied behavior analysis (ABA) programs compared to efficacy of non-intensive applied behavior analysis (ABA) programs
→Adherence to Treatment in a Behavioral Intervention Curriculum for Parents of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder
- Survey-based study
- Included parents of 21 children with autism
- Focused on adherence of parents to skills instruction and problem behavior strategies based on applied behavior analysis principles
→Applied Behavior Analysis Programs for Autism: Sibling Psychosocial Adjustment During and Following Intervention Use
- Data collected from parents, siblings, and teachers of siblings of children with autism
- Focused on opinions of parents, siblings, and teachers in regard to psychosocial adjustment of siblings of children with autism in families running a home-based applied behavior analysis (ABA) program compared to siblings of children with autism in families not using an intensive home-based ABA program
→Evidence to Practice: Treatment of Anxiety in Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders
- Review article with suggestions for implementation
- Included analysis of 4 previous review articles and 2 additional randomized clinical trials
- Focused on utilizing applied behavior analysis (ABA) principles to teach social skills in combination with cognitive behavior therapy to improve social interactions and reduce anxiety
→O. Ivar Lovaas: Pioneer of Applied Behavior Analysis and Intervention for Children with Autism
- Article describing the impact that O. Ivar Lovaas had in the development of applied behavior analysis (ABA) and other early intervention programs
2010 Research
→Applied Behavior Analytic Intervention for Autism in Early Childhood: Meta-Analysis, Meta-Regression and Dose-Response Meta-Analysis of Multiple Outcomes
- Meta-analysis of studies involving applied behavior analysis (ABA) for autism
- Focused on efficacy of applied behavior analysis (ABA) for intellectual functioning, language development, social functioning, and acquisition of daily living skills
- Also looked at correlation between total ABA treatment hours and outcomes
2009 Research
→Assessing Progress During Treatment for Young Children Receiving Intensive Behavioural Interventions
- Included 57 children with autism spectrum disorders
- Focused on efficacy of clinic-based applied behavior analysis (ABA) program compared to home-based ABA programs
- Outcomes measured include IQ, visual-spatial IQ, adaptive behavior, motor skills, social skills, language comprehension, and expressive language
→Retrospective Analysis of Clinical Records in 38 Cases of Recovery from Autism
- Retrospective analysis of clinical records of children with autism experiencing “recovery”
- Included 38 children with autism
- Focused on describing a subset of children who had “recovered” from autism after intensive applied behavior analysis (ABA), specifically focusing on IQ and adaptive skills
→Applied Behavior Analytic Interventions for Children with Autism: A Description and Review of Treatment Research
- Review article
- Describes evidence for applied behavior analysis (ABA) and different aspects of ABA programs
→Autism, “Recovery (to Normalcy)”, and the Politics of Hope
- Philosophical article on autism, applied behavior analysis (ABA), hope, recovery, and politics
→ABA and TEACCH: The Case for Defining and Validating Comprehensive Treatment Models in Autism
- Utilized a social validation survey
- Surveyed special education teachers, parents, and administrators
- Focused on preference of participants for aspects of applied behavior analysis (ABA) or Training and Education of Autistic and other Communication Handicapped Children (TEACCH)
→Efficacy of Applied Behavior Analysis in Autism
- Commentary on design flaw of meta-analysis research article titled Efficacy of Applied Behavioral Intervention in Preschool Children with Autism for Improving Cognitive, Language, and Adaptive Behavior: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (see this research article located 3 items below)
→Supervisor Support as a Predictor of Burnout and Therapeutic Self-Efficacy in Therapists Working in ABA Schools
- Questionnaire study
- Included 81 therapists employed in applied behavior analysis (ABA) schools
- Focused on reports of burnout and perceived therapeutic self-efficacy
→Behavioural and Skill-Based Early Interventions in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders
- Review article
- Included 14 research studies involving early interventions, most of which consisted of applied behavior analysis (ABA)
- Focused on safety and efficacy, factors responsible for effectiveness, cost-effectiveness and cost consequences of the different early intervention programs, and the legal, ethical, and social aspects of the different programs
→Efficacy of Applied Behavioral Intervention in Preschool Children with Autism for Improving Cognitive, Language, and Adaptive Behavior: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
- Review article and meta-analysis
- Included 4 studies in meta-analysis
- Focused on efficacy of applied behavior analysis (ABA) programs in the areas of cognitive, adaptive behavior, and language development
- See commentary titled Efficacy of Applied Behavior Analysis on design flaw of this study located 3 items above
→Applied Behavior Analysis Treatment of Autism: The State of the Art
- Overview and background information for applied behavior analysis (ABA) as an autism treatment
2008 Research
→Early Behavioral Intervention, Brain Plasticity, and the Prevention of Autism Spectrum Disorder
- Discusses autism risk, symptoms, and adaptation in the context of brain plasticity
- Also discusses advances in applied behavior analysis (ABA) techniques
→Parents’ Experiences of Home-Based Applied Behavior Analysis Programs for Young Children with Autism
- Interview-based study
- Included 53 parents of children with autism who had experienced 2 years of a home-based applied behavior analysis program
- Focused on perceived benefits and pitfalls of running a home-based ABA program, along with its impact on family life and support systems
2007 Research
→Applied Behaviour Analysis: Does Intervention Intensity Relate to Family Stressors and Maternal Well-Being?
- Questionnaire-based study
- Included 41 mothers of children with autism
- Focused on depression symptoms of mothers of children with autism running a home-based applied behavior analysis program and the impact of the intensity of the ABA program on feelings of depression, personal strain and mastery, as well as ability to meet the family’s needs
→Brief Report: Relative Effectiveness of Different Home-Based Behavioral Approaches to Early Teaching Intervention
- Study researched home-based early behavioral intervention programs over a 9 to 10 month period
- Measured autistic severity, intellectual, educational, and adaptive functioning
- Also focused on intensity of program and type of program (i.e. ABA-based)
→Brief Report: Comparative ABA and DIR Trials in Twin Brothers with Autism
- A pilot study
- Included twin brothers with autism (one utilized an applied behavior analysis program while the other utilized DIR program)
- Focused on pre- and post-test scores on the Communication and Symbolic Behavior Scales
2005 Research
→Evaluating the Effectiveness of Teacher Training in Applied Behaviour Analysis
- Study incorporated 90 hours of ABA training and supervision for teachers
- Included 11 teachers working with children with autism in an applied behavior analysis setting
- Focused on effectiveness of targeted ABA interventions in the areas of aggression, non-compliance, and specific educational skills
2003 Research
→Behavioral Adjustment of Siblings of Children with Autism Engaged in Applied Behavior Analysis Early Intervention Programs: The Moderating Role of Social Support
- Utilized ratings of sibling adjustment provided by mothers and analysis of social support for the family
- Included 78 siblings of children with autism whose family was participating in an applied behavior analysis program
- Focused on behavioral adjustment of siblings of children with autism
2001 Research
→Teaching Social Skills to People with Autism
- Overview of useful procedures for teaching social skills to people with autism
- Many procedures mentioned are based on applied behavior analysis principles
1996 Research
→Naming, the Formation of Stimulus Classes, and Applied Behavior Analysis
- Review article
- Focuses on the contributions of previous research in the area of generalization, naming, and verbal behavior in the context of ABA
1995 Research
→Applied Behavior Analysis: Amazing Results?
- No abstract available
Additional Resources:
- More Information on Autism Treatments and Therapies
- Additional Information on Autism
