Lovaas Model of Applied Behavior

Analysis (ABA)

Paula R. UlloaED657 Advanced Techniques: Multiple & Severe Disabilities

July 11, 2008

Ole Ivar Lovaas, Ph.D.

Why are we here?

• Gain an understanding of how Lovaas and ABA are related.

• Define Applied Behavioral Analysis.

• Understand how Discrete Trial Teaching (DTT) and ABA are related.

• Understand the components of DTT.

Ole Ivar Lovaas

• “His”-story• Clinical exploration

– 1965 aversive treatment methods– Behavioral focus

• Behavioral Analysis– Applied Behavioral Analysis

Lovaas Modelaka Home-Based Behavior Intervention or UCLA Model of ABA

• Intended specifically for autism– Spectrum

• Early treatment– 3 ½ - 5 years

• Home-based program: STAGE 1

• Home-based program: STAGE 2

• Lovaas Method: STAGE 3 & BEYOND– School-aged (5++)

Applied Behavioral AnalysisABA is a scientific discipline based on the theory of behaviorism (Behavior

Analysis)

Principles of ABA

Observe what is worthy of scientific

investigation.

Internal events are private & cannot be

known by others.

Reinforcement and punishment

adequately model the way the world

works.

Principles of Lovaas MethodA behavioral emphasis

Family participation

One-to-one instruction

Integration

Comprehensiveness

Intensity

Discrete Trial Teaching• Teaching Strategy Based on ABA• DTT breaks down the task into specific skills

and teaches them in a consistent manner.• DTT Involves:

– Break Skill into Smaller Parts– Teaching sub-skill @ a time– Repeated Practice– Consistency in Teaching– Prompting & Prompt Fading– Use of reinforcement procedures

Relationship between…

Behavior Behavior AnalysisAnalysis

(BA)

A scientific discipline

based on the theory of

behaviorism

The Lovaas The Lovaas ModelModel (Applied BA)

Rigorous, peer reviewed

research, with long-term &

follow-up studies, proving its effectiveness

as an intervention in

treating children with autism

DTTDTT(Approach)

Teaching unit consisting

of an

antecedent, behavior, and a consequence

to the behavior

ABA UmbrellaABA Umbrella

It’s discrete because there is a clear beginning & a clear

end Parts of a Trial:

• = Instruction– Simple and concise instructions– 1x Rule– Provide reinforcement for good

performance & attending

• = Response– 3 - 5 seconds (variable)

• = Feedback – Immediate feedback– Correct Response = Positive FB + Reinforcer– Incorrect/No Response = Corrective FB

http://www.youtube.com/v/NbVG8lYEsNs&hl=en&fs=1

DTTDTT

Prompts• An additional stimulus that facilitates correct

responding

• Errorless Learning vs. No No PromptErrorless Learning vs. No No Prompt

• Prompts mustmust accompany instruction or occur before response

• Use the least intrusive prompt & fade

• Prompted trials = mild reinforcement

• Prompted trials should be followed by non-prompted or reduced prompted trial

Types of Prompts

• Within Stimulus Prompt (Prompt within the drill itself)

• Positional Prompt (Proximity)

• Gestural Prompt• Partial Physical Prompt • Full Physical Prompt

• Verbal Cues• Inadvertent Prompts

(Video)

Improving the Response Quality

Differential Reinforcement

(reinforcer assessment)

• A+ (strong-to die for): Correct answer/good attention and engaged.

• B (moderate): Correct answer, attention is off.

• C (mild): Incorrect answer but good attention and really tried.

• Strengthens response), Motivator, Tangibles (age appropriate) + social praise

• Intermittent Schedule of Reinforcement – most powerful

• Reinforcement vs. Bribery

• Inadvertent/inappropriate reinforcement

ReinforcersAnything that increases the likelihood

a behavior will occur again

What do we know now?

• Behavioral Analysis is the theory• Lovaas developed a specific ABA

methodology • DTT is the ABA intervention strategy

used within the Lovaas model• The Lovaas Model is scientifically

proven to work with individuals with autism

• Leaf, R. & McEachin, J. A Work In Progress. New York, NY: DRL Books, Inc.

• The Texas Observer Journal http://www.texasobserver.org/article.php?aid=2780

• Families for Early Autism Treatment (BC): http://featbc.org/www/featbc/INFOSOURCES.html

• Autism Treatment Info: http://www.autismtreatment.info/what+is+a+discrete+trial.aspx

• Guam Public School System Division of Special Education Autism Program

References

References• Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ivar_Lovaas

• About.com: http://autism.about.com/od/treatmentoptions/f/WhatisABA.htm

• Youtube.com: http://youtube.com/watch?v=593_9tGB3hs&feature=related

• National Autistic Society, UK: http://www.nas.org.uk/nas/jsp/polopoly.jsp?d=297&a=3345

• Applied Behavioral Associates, LLC: www.aba4kids.org

References• Journal of Applied Behavioral Analysis (JABA):

http://seab.envmed.rochester.edu/jaba/

• Autismconnect: http://www.autismconnect.org/interviews.asp?section=000100040001&id=4096

• AOL video: http://video.aol.com/video-detail/lovaas-institute-partners-in-possibilities/3923340976

• National Autism Association: http://www.nationalautismassociation.org/advisoryei.php

• Association for Behavior Analysis International: www.abainternational.org

(Ancillary)

Lovaas Related contacts…

• Goliath Business Knowledge on Demand: http://goliath.ecnext.com/coms2/gi_0199-198358/The phantom-chaser-for-Ivar.html

• Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB): www.bacb.com

• The Lovaas Institute: www.lovaas.com

• All About ABA (Applied Behavioral Analysis): autism.about.com

• Autism-PDD Resource Network: www.autism-pdd.net

• Autism Resources (John Wobus' Site): www.vaporia.com/autism

• Wrightslaw: www.wrightslaw.com

(Ancillary)

Lovaas Related contacts…United Kingdom• Parents for the Early intervention of Autism in Children (PEACH)

The Brackens, London Road, Ascot, Berkshire SL5 8BETel: +44 (0)1344 882248Fax: +44 (0)1344 882391Email: info@peach.org.ukWebsite: www.peach.org.uk

• UK Young Autism ProjectRoom 107, 20 Mortlake High Street, London SW14 8JNTel: +44 (0)20 8392 3931Fax: +44 (0)20 8392 3931Email: enquiries@ukyap.orgWebsite: www.ukyap.org

United States• Dr. O. Ivar Lovaas, Lovaas Institute, 11500 West Olympic Boulevard, Suite

318, Los Angeles, CA 90064, USATel: +1 310 914 5433 (West coast)Tel: +1 856 616 9442 (East coast)Fax: +1 310 914 5433Email: info@lovaas.comWebsite: www.lovaas.com

Norway• Professor Svein Eikeseth, Akershus University College, PO Box 423, N-2001

Lillestrom, Norway.Tel: +47 64 84 9000; Mobile: +47 922 10 988; Fax: + 47 64 84 9001Email: svein.eikeseth@hiak.no

Lovaas Methodaka Home-Based Behavior Intervention or UCLA Model of ABA

• Early treatment

• Home-based program: STAGE 1– 40 hrs/wk of intensive therapy (3 personnel)– One-to-one for six-eight hrs/day – two-three hour teaching sessions– Five-seven days a week– Two or more years– Family participation (generalization of skills)– Skills broken down into small achieveable tasks – Taught in a very structured manner – Accompanied by praise and reinforcement. – Reduce/replace aggressive/self-stimulatory behaviors– Progresssion from basic self help & language skills to..– …non-verbal & verbal imitation skills & beginnings of toy play– Expressive and early abstract language– Interactive play with peers

• Home-based program: STAGE 2

• Lovaas Method: STAGE 3 & BEYOND– In more advanced stages of the intervention the child can be

taught at home and school

(Ancillary)

AInstruction

BBehavior

CFeedback

DTT ProcessDTT Process

Reinforcement?Prompt

3-5 secs 2-3 secs.

(Ancillary)