Ole Ivar Lovaas

Ole Ivar Lovaas is a clinical psychologist considered one of the fathers of applied behavior analysis therapy for autism and the first to provide evidence that the behavior of autistic children can be modified through teaching, though his original claims of effectiveness were overstated. In his studies in the 1960s he relied principally on positive reinforcements of preferred behavior, but his original technique also included aversives such as striking, shouting "No!" at the child, or giving the children electric shocks.

Born in Norway, his interest in environment and how it affects behavior led him to continue his research at the University of Washington, where he received his Ph.D. Lovaas founded the Lovaas Institute for Early Intervention (LIFE) which provides services for those diagnosed with autism. LIFE has offices located throughout the world. Lovaas is Professor Emeritus of Psychology and teaches at the University of California, Los Angeles.