Ivar Lovaas

Ole Ivar Lovaas is a clinical psychologist considered one of the fathers of Applied Behavior Analysis therapy for autism. 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. Some call him the "father of autism" due to his tactful behavior approach to treating autism.