Parent-managed behavioral treatment for preschool children with autism: some characteristics of UK programs.

Early intensive behavioral intervention for autism has attracted controversy since Lovaas (1987) reported that 47% of his experimental group attained normal functioning. We summarize child and program data from 75 children receiving EIBI in the UK. The majority of children (57%) started treatment later than in Lovaas (1987), and 16% did not exceed his minimum IQ criterion. Children experienced fewer hours of treatment (mean of 32 hours vs. 40 hours per week), and their programs received relatively infrequent supervision. 21% of programs received supervision from individuals currently accredited as competent to provide Lovaas's treatment. No child started early enough, and received 40 hours per week, and had accredited supervision. Due to these variations from his model, Lovaas (1987) findings are unlikely to be replicated for this sample of children.