If you have a child with developmental problems or autism spectrum disorder, it’s essential to give them every opportunity to gain the skills they need to communicate, learn, and socialize. And using applied behavioral analysis (ABA) can help.

At Scottsdale Pediatric Behavioral Services in Scottsdale, Arizona, our ABA specialists rely on evidence-based principles to help young children and their families thrive. One of these methods includes early intensive behavioral intervention, or EIBI.

If you’re looking for an intensive and comprehensive strategy to help reinforce appropriate behavior in your child and help them improve their social and learning skills, EIBI could be the answer.

Understanding how early intensive behavioral intervention works

Early intensive behavioral intervention focuses on increasing positive behaviors and decreasing unwanted behaviors, such as tantrums, aggression, and self-injury. We customize this highly structured approach based on each child’s skill level and unique needs to help them succeed.

An important aspect of EIBI involves taking tasks, especially those that can seem complex, and breaking them down into small, easy-to-achieve parts. This technique gives your child the opportunity to develop their skills and appropriate behaviors in more manageable ways.

Our EIBI programs usually involve 20-40 hours each week and can last 1-4 years. It typically focuses on children ages 2-6, but it provides the best results when started as early as possible. Throughout the entire process, we continue to track, measure, and record your child’s progress, so we can continuously modify our approach to ensure their success every step of the way. We also provide parents and caregivers with tools to continue supporting these efforts at home.

What to expect with early intensive behavioral intervention

As ABA specialists, we use science-based models to structure our EIBI programs. This approach ensures that children in our care learn appropriate behaviors through positive reinforcement.

The first step in creating an EIBI program for your child involves a careful assessment and evaluation of their skills. Then, we develop a personalized approach using our science-based teaching strategies to address their unique needs. After identifying clear and measurable goals, we begin working with your child, using positive feedback as encouragement to foster the learning process.

Over the course of their EIBI program, we may focus on several areas, such as:

• Foundational skills
• Early communicative language
• Early socialization
• Grammatical language
• School entry

Sometimes, we also recommend combining EIBI with other interventions, such as speech therapy, occupational therapy, and group therapy. As your child moves through their EIBI program, you can expect them to receive less guidance as they learn and gain confidence performing new skills.

Why early intensive behavioral intervention is important

Children and adults of all ages can benefit from applied behavioral analysis techniques. However, when you introduce early intensive behavioral intervention as early as possible, the success rate skyrockets.

EIBI’s track record dates back to the 1960s, and it has only gathered more research support since then. In fact, recent studies consider it one of the most effective techniques for children with autism spectrum disorder, especially when treatment starts before age 2.

By introducing your child to EIBI as early as possible, you give them the opportunity to establish context around what they’re trying to learn. For example, instead of only teaching a child that a truck is an object, EIBI also helps them understand what a truck is, where you can find a truck, and things of that nature. With this approach, you not only broaden their world, but you also translate what they learn into other environments.

For more information on early intensive behavioral intervention, book an appointment online or over the phone with Scottsdale Pediatric Behavioral Services today.