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Updated: Aug 17, 2026

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Eye Tracking Young Children with Autism
Published on: March 27, 2012
Clarifying comments on the young autism study: reply to Schopler, Short, and Mesibov
Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology
|February 1, 1989
Abstract:
Lovaas (1987) has been criticized for overstating the outcome of an intensive behavioral intervention for young autistic children. Part of the criticism reflects skepticism of Lovaas's view that it is possible to overcome autistic children's deficits. However, Lovaas's study built on a substantial body of research that has suggested just such a possibility. It also contained a number of methodological features that provide evidence supporting his interpretation of the outcome, notably, unbiased control groups and multiple pretreatment and follow-up measures.
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