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. Challenging behaviour is ignored when it happens.

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 new skills and behaviour. These skills and behaviour take the place of challenging 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).

ABA and EIBI can help autistic children develop independence, but they shouldn’t be used to make children ‘mask’ their autism or ‘fit in’ with social norms.

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’re focusing on to see whether the program is working.
• Evaluate progress, making changes as needed.

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.