About Us

Helping to understand autism in children and young people

UK Young Autism Project (UK YAP) is a research-based centre that specialises in teaching children and young people with autism, other pervasive developmental disorders and related developmental disorders. The intervention programme was originally developed by Dr O. Ivar Lovaas, and is based on extensive clinical experience and more than 40 years of scientific research conducted in the Clinic for the Behavioural Treatment of Children, in the Psychology Department at the University of California in Los Angeles (UCLA). The programme is comprehensive and aimed at enhancing intellectual, social, emotional, and adaptive behaviours of children, so that they are enabled to take advantage of the educational and social opportunities available in their communities and require less professional attention as they grow older.

UK YAP was originally established as a replication site as part of the UCLA multi-site Young Autism Project. The multi-site project was designed to evaluate Early Intensive Behavioural Intervention (EIBI) for children with autism in different cultures and community settings. UK YAP has conducted research into the effectiveness of the intervention. Please see the Research page for further information.

UK YAP is directed by Professor Svein Eikeseth, Diane Hayward and Catherine Gale. It is a division of UK Behaviour Analysis and Research Group (CIC) which is a Community Interest Company. The company directors are Catherine Gale and Diane Hayward.

We are an ACE accrediteed provider