What is ABA / IBI?
 
Picture of child in treatment
Applied behaviour analysis is a field in psychology that consists of the use of scientific methodology to understand behaviour and how it can be changed. It is a broad field that has been applied to a variety of socially significant problems in addition to the treatment of autism.

Intensive behavioural intervention is the use of applied behaviour analysis techniques to provide intensive treatment. Intensity of treatment refers not only to the high number of hours provided (typically between 20 and 40 hours per week), but also the high quality of the design and implementation of treatment programs.

 

Intensive behaviour intervention, provided over two years has been demonstrated to produce significant increases in the cognitive, language, preacademic and overall development of young children with autism to a point where about half reach levels of average intellectual abilities, and function successfully in school without special supports (Eikeseth, Smith, Jahr, E., & Eldevik,2002; Lovaas, 1987; McEachin, Smith & Lovaas, 1993).

This means that we only select interventions for which there is empirical evidence of effectiveness. The behavioural interventions range from ones that are highly structured (discrete trial teaching) to others that are more naturalistic (incidental teaching). On-going measures are collected on how well the child is learning.

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References

  • Lovaas, I. (1987). Behavioral treatment and normal educational functioning in young autistic children. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 55, 3 – 9.
  • McEachin, J, Smith, T., & Lovaas, I. (1993) Long-term outcome for children with autism who received early intensive behavioral treatment. American Journal of Mental Retardation, 97, 359 – 372.
  • Eikeseth, S., Smith, T. Jahr, E., & Eldevik, S. (2002). Intensive behavioral treatment at school for 4-to- 7 year-old children with autism. Behavior Modification, 26, 49 – 68.