What is Early Intensive Behavioural Intervention?
Early Intensive Behavioural Intervention (EIBI) is based on the principles of Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA). This therapy promotes learning, skill development and behaviour change by breaking tasks into small steps that are easier to learn. As children learn each step, they’re praised and rewarded. Difficult behaviour is ignored when it happens.
Who is Early Intensive Behavioural Intervention for?
Early Intensive Behavioural Intervention (EIBI) is used with autistic preschoolers.
What is Early Intensive Behavioural Intervention used for?
Early Intensive Behavioural Intervention (EIBI) is used to help autistic children learn appropriate behaviour, which takes the place of difficult behaviour.
It also helps children:
- learn to imitate
- focus their attention more
- improve their understanding and use of language
- develop their play and daily living skills (like brushing teeth).
Where does Early Intensive Behavioural Intervention come from?
Early Intensive Behavioural Intervention (EIBI) is based on the principles of Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA).
The ABA principles the program is based on grew from learning theory and the theory of behavioural psychology, which have been around since the early 1900s. Learning theory suggests that how people behave in a situation depends on their previous experiences of similar situations.
What is the idea behind Early Intensive Behavioural Intervention?
Early Intensive Behavioural Intervention (EIBI) is based on the theory that you can teach skills in a methodical way to promote new and appropriate behaviour in autistic children.
What does Early Intensive Behavioural Intervention involve?
In general, Early Intensive Behavioural Intervention (EIBI) therapy uses the following steps:
- Assess the child’s current skills and difficulties.
- Develop an individualised program for the child.
- Implement the program using specific teaching methods to build skills.
- Measure the skills you’ve chosen to work on to see whether the program is working.
- Evaluate progress, making changes as needed.
A child’s program should focus on building skills, rather than getting rid of behaviours like flapping or spinning. Many autistic children find these behaviours calming. The program should never include punishments.
EIBI programs take a lot of time – they can be 20 hours a week or more, possibly for several years. Parents are directly involved in children’s programs, which should start as early as possible. Depending on the provider, children might get the therapy in a centre, home, clinic, school or other setting.
Cost considerations
The costs of Early Intensive Behavioural Intervention (EIBI) therapy varies depending on the number of hours per week, whether therapy is one to one or group based, and how much supervision is involved.
You might be able to include the cost of using EIBI therapy in children’s NDIS plans. You can contact the NDIS to find out.
Does Early Intensive Behavioural Intervention work?
This therapy is based on ABA principles, which are well supported by research.
Who practises Early Intensive Behavioural Intervention?
Professionals with experience and training in behaviour analysis (like psychologists) practise this therapy. Early Intensive Behavioural Intervention (EIBI) providers must be trained.
Parent education, training, support and involvement
Service providers give parents specialised training, education and support in Early Intensive Behavioural Intervention (EIBI). If your child is using EIBI therapy, you’re expected to be actively involved.
Where can you find a practitioner?
You can visit the Behavior Analyst Certification Board to find accredited Early Intensive Behavioural Intervention (EIBI) practitioners.
Your GP or one of the other professionals working with your child can help you find an EIBI provider. You could also talk about this approach with your NDIA planner, NDIS early childhood partner or NDIS local area coordinator (LAC), if you have one.