General information

Our Mission

Our Mission

In 1994 Drs. McEachin and Leaf formed Autism Partnership to meet the tremendous need for comprehensive services for families with children and adolescents diagnosed with autism. Based upon the founders’ extensive and unique experiences of providing behavioral treatment for children, adolescents, and adults, they have developed the Autism Partnership Method, a progressive approach to implementing Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) treatment.

Autism Partnership’s senior staff started their work together back in the 1970s at the UCLA Young Autism Project. Under the mentorship of Dr. Ivar. Lovaas, a pioneer in the treatment of Autism, John McEachin, Ron Leaf, Tracee Parker, Sandy Slater. and Andi Waks learned their profession. They were involved in all aspects of this seminal project including the development of curriculum and behavioral intervention strategies, implementing and supervising treatment, training therapists, teachers, and parents, teaching classes, and conducting research. While at UCLA, they contributed to seminal works including books, research publications, and conference presentations. More recently they have published some widely used books including: A Work in Progress: Behavior Management Strategies & A Curriculum for Intensive Behavioral Treatment of Autism; It’s Time for School: Building Quality ABA Educational Programs for Students with Autism Spectrum Disorders and Sense and Nonsense in the Behavioral Treatment of Autism: It Has to be Said.

The Staff of Autism Partnership speak at national and international conferences and have published numerous research articles which have appeared in peer-reviewed scientific journals.