Intensive Behavioural Intervention

IBI is the application of the science of ABA in an intensive manner. The National Research Council (2009) suggests 25 hours per week, 12 months per year and begin as early as possible.

IBI has a much stronger empirical basis than virtually any other intervention used with children with autism and is considered ‘‘best practice’’ for young children with autism, based on reviews of the research literature and the recommendations of several professional consensus panels, convened by the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH, 1999), the U.S. National Institutes of Health in 2000 (e.g., Schreibman, 2000), and the U.S. Department of Special Education via the National Research Council (NRC, 2001).

EIBI (Early Intensive Behavioural Intervention) is also described as following a normal developmental sequence to guide the intervention goals, and parents actively participate in the interventions as co-therapists (Eldevik, 2009).  Additionally, the intervention plans for decreasing the intensity over time, generalizing, and maintaining skills in different environments (Eldevik, 2009).

Applied Behaviour Analysis

Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) is the use of specific techniques and principles to address socially important problems, and to bring about meaningful behaviour change. Research has consistently shown that it is the only viable option. Scientific research has demonstrated that ABA is the safest and most effective treatment for autism. ABA is widely recognized by educators and professionals as the only intervention leading to comprehensive, lasting improvements in the lives of individuals with autism. ABA has been endorsed by a number of state and federal agencies, including the U. S. Surgeon General and the New York State Department of Health. One to One IBI therapy is the only intensive therapy funded by the Government of Ontario for children with ASD.

Behaviour analysis is a scientific approach to understanding behaviour and how it is affected by the environment. “Behaviour” refers to all kinds of actions and skills (not just misbehaviour), and “environment” includes all sorts of physical and social events that might change or be changed by one's behaviour. The science of behaviour analysis focuses on principles (that is, general laws) about how behaviour works, or how learning takes place. For example, one principle of behaviour analysis is positive reinforcement: When a behaviour is followed by something that is valued (a “reward”), that behaviour is likely to be repeated. Through decades of research, the field of behaviour analysis has developed many techniques for increasing useful behaviours and reducing those that may be harmful or that interfere with learning. Applied behaviour analysis (ABA) is the use of those techniques and principles to address socially important problems, and to bring about meaningful behaviour change.