ABSTRACT
The Lovaas ABA model is frequently sought out by parents of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and the public has come to think of this model as the definitive method of ABA without understanding the variety of behavioral approaches to intervention for ASD that exist. Parents appeared to be the most supportive of allies of Lovaas' ABA model, so they were recruited to become the children's teachers. The Lovaas ABA model teaches specific, carefully sequenced core skills, presented for repeated instruction, one at a time, with clear consequences through discrete trial training. In order to facilitate generalization of skills, the Lovaas ABA model makes extensive use of incidental teaching to build on a child's interest, demonstrated when a child initiates an interaction. The report of enduring improvements generated great optimism for ASD treatment and interest in the Lovaas ABA model.
