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Applied behavior analysis (ABA) is an evidence-based approach that has undergone repeated scientific testing and has shown to be valid and effective. This is the method used to teach autistic individuals communication, adaptive skills, and improve excessive behaviors that interfere with learning.

Nearly 40 years of research, has repeatedly demonstrated that ABA interventions produce long-lasting changes in an individual’s quality of life, which includes improvement in their communication, socialization, adaptive living, intellectual functioning, and other areas.

Studies have also demonstrated that more ABA intervention hours lead to greater clinical outcomes. In addition, researchers have indicated that ABA results are greater when ABA is started at an earlier age.

Below is a sample list of the studies from 1987 to 2024 evaluating ABA intervention outcomes.

Sample List of ABA Studies

Cohen, H., Amerine-Dickens, M., & Smith, T. (2006). Early intensive behavioral treatment: Replication of the UCLA model in a community setting. Journal of Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics, 27, S145-S155.

Eikeseth, S., Klintwall, L., Jahr, E., & Karlsson, P. (2012). Outcome for children with autism receiving early and intensive behavioral intervention in mainstream preschool and kindergarten settings. Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, 6, 829-835. doi:10.1016/j.rasd.2011.09.002

Eldevik, S., Eikeseth, S., Jahr, E., & Smith, T. (2006). Effects of low-intensity behavioral treatment for children with autism and mental retardation. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 36, 211-224. doi:10.1007/s10803-005-0058-x Eldevik, S., Hastings, R. P., Jahr, E., & Hughes, J. C. (2012). Outcomes of behavioral intervention for children with autism in mainstream pre-school settings. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 42, 210-220. doi:10.1007/s10803-011- 1234-9

Estes, A., Munson, J., Rogers, S. J., Greenson, J., Winter, J., & Dawson, G. (2015). Long-term outcomes of early intervention in 6-year-old children with autism spectrum disorder. Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 54(7), 580-587.

Fuller, E. A., & Kaiser, A. P. (2020). The effects of early intervention on social communication outcomes for children with autism spectrum disorder: A meta-analysis. Journal of autism and developmental disorders, 50(5), 1683-1700.

Granpeesheh, D., Dixon, D. R., Tarbox, J., Kaplan, A. M., & Wilke, A. E. (2009). The effects of age and treatment intensity on behavioral intervention outcomes for children with autism spectrum disorders. Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, 3(4), 1014-1022.

Grey, I., Brennan, D., & Cody, B. (2024). Outcomes for children with autism spectrum disorder and their families after two years of school based early intensive behavioural intervention. Journal of Intellectual Disabilities, 17446295241231039.

Lotfizadeh, A. D., Kazemi, E., Pompa-Craven, P., & Eldevik, S. (2020). Moderate effects of low-intensity behavioral intervention. Behavior Modification, 44(1), 92-113.

Lovaas, O. I. (1987). Behavioral treatment and normal educational and intellectual functioning in young autistic children. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 55(1), 3-9

Reichow, B. (2012). Overview of meta-analyses on early intensive behavioral intervention for young children with autism spectrum disorders. Journal of autism and developmental disorders, 42, 512-520.

Robain, F., Franchini, M., Kojovic, N., Wood de Wilde, H., & Schaer, M. (2020). Predictors of treatment outcome in preschoolers with autism spectrum disorder: An observational study in the greater Geneva area, Switzerland. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 50, 3815-3830.

Saban-Bezalel, R., Zachor, D. A., Avni, E., & Ben-Itzchak, E. (2024). Younger age is associated with better outcomes in autism severity, language, and adaptive skills after one school year in autism special education classes. Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, 113, 102350.

Virués-Ortega, J. (2010). Applied behavior analytic intervention for autism in early childhood: Meta-analysis, meta-regression and dose–response meta-analysis of multiple outcomes. Clinical Psychology Review, 30, 387-399.

Wójcik, M., Eikeseth, S., Eikeseth, F. F., Budzinska, E., & Budzinska, A. (2023). A Comparison Controlled Study Examining Outcome for Children With Autism Receiving Intensive Behavioral Intervention (IBI). Behavior Modification, 47(5), 1071-1093.

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