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: [email protected]: 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: [email protected]: 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: [email protected]: 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: [email protected]
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)