This study examined the importance of several parental factors in shaping the outcome of a behavioral treatment program for children with autism based on the work of O. Ivar Lovaas. The Lovaas approach remediates behavior problems through the redesign of the household environment. Respondents to a questionnaire sent to 18 families were 3 mothers and 2 fathers from a total of 5 families of children (ages 4-7) with autism. Specifically, the study looked at the following factors: (1) amount of time each family spent delivering the therapeutic interventions; (2) the number of different therapists per family; (3) optimistic or pessimistic attitudes about therapy; and (4) the structure of the family. Results suggested that the female parent generally experiences greater stress and responsibility in caring for an autistic child. Male parents spent significantly less time with the autistic child but tended to be more generally optimistic about their child's future than did mothers. Both male and female parents were somewhat optimistic about the Lovaas method. The average family used five therapists and devoted a mean number of 5.5 hours daily to therapy. (DB)