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Involving Individuals with Developmental Language Disorder and Their Parents/Carers in Research Priority Setting
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Published on: June 6, 2020

Who should pay for intensive behavioural intervention in autism? A parent's view

J Couper1

  • 1Department of Paediatrics, Women's and Children's Hospital, University of Adelaide, South Australia 5006, Australia. jennifer.couper@adelaide.edu.au

Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health
|September 16, 2004
PubMed

Insights

Early intensive behavioral intervention (IBI) shows promise for children with autism, leading to significant gains. However, further evidence is needed to secure public funding for this autism therapy in Australia.

Area of Science:

  • Developmental Psychology
  • Behavioral Science
  • Pediatric Medicine

Background:

  • Early intensive behavioral intervention (IBI) is recognized for its effectiveness in supporting young children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
  • IBI utilizes applied behavior analysis (ABA) principles for a systematic, individualized approach to address core ASD deficits.
  • Parental advocacy and financing globally highlight the perceived benefits of IBI for children with autism.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the level of evidence required for Australian states to allocate public funding for early intensive behavioral intervention (IBI).
  • To examine the efficacy of IBI in improving communication, social, cognitive, and adaptive skills in children with autism.
  • To address the ongoing debate among professionals regarding the extent of evidence supporting IBI as a primary intervention for autism.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing research on early intensive behavioral intervention (IBI) for autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
  • Analysis of applied behavior analysis (ABA) techniques employed in IBI protocols.
  • Assessment of reported outcomes, including communication, social, cognitive, and adaptive gains in children receiving IBI.

Main Results:

  • A majority of children demonstrate communication, social, cognitive, and adaptive improvements with IBI.
  • A significant minority of children achieve near-typical functioning under optimal conditions with IBI.
  • Despite positive outcomes, universal professional consensus on IBI's proven efficacy for autism is lacking.

Conclusions:

  • Early intensive behavioral intervention (IBI) offers substantial benefits for children with autism, including significant developmental gains.
  • The effectiveness of IBI, particularly its potential for near-typical functioning in some children, warrants consideration for public funding.
  • Establishing clear evidence benchmarks is crucial for Australian states to determine adequate public investment in IBI for autism treatment.

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