What is Early Intensive Behavioral Intervention?

Early Intensive Behavioral Intervention, often abbreviated to EIBI, is an intervention method for children with autism. It is designed for children under 5 years old. This ABA treatment requires 20 to 40 hours a week of one-on-one, in-depth therapy. It works by analyzing the specific behaviors of the child, then utilizing those findings to reduce negative behaviors and encourage positive ones.

Why is Early Intensive Behavioral Intervention important?

EIBI is a beneficial and promising autism intervention because of the wealth of scientific evidence proving its effectiveness. In some cases, EIBI can reduce the child’s need for services and lead to developmental gains throughout the child’s lifetime. EIBI is an important part of a toddler’s ABA therapy protocol because it can be so helpful in reducing negative behaviors and increasing desired ones. When EIBI is started as early as possible, it can have a dramatic impact on the outcome of the child’s ABA therapy and quality of life.

What are the benefits of EIBI?

In addition to the aforementioned improvement in behaviors, EIBI offers other potential benefits as well. Studies have shown that EIBI is also beneficial for the child’s social interaction skills, adjustment to sensory experiences, and teach the child learning methods that are useful throughout life. Children who undergo EIBI therapy have often shown greater improvement and more improved function than those who do not.

How effective is EIBI?

Because EIBI programs are customized to meet each child’s individual needs, they have the potential to help children meet their potential. Like any autism treatment, the outcome of EIBI treatment will vary from one child to the next. Overall, studies show great promise for the future of EIBI therapy in young children with an autism diagnosis. Because early intervention is key, it’s important to speak to your child’s doctor or care team to determine whether EIBI is a good fit for him or her. The sooner your child begins EIBI therapy, the better the potential outcome.