Early Childhood Intensive Intervention Settings

This chapter provides a discussion on early intervention (EI) services with a focus on interventions for autism spectrum and other developmental disorders that meet the criteria for best practice. The two prominent best practice approaches identified following an extensive review of the literature are early intensive behavioral intervention (EIBI) and naturalistic developmental behavioral intervention (NDBIs). The chapter summarizes the extensive research in EIBI, beginning with Lovaas’ seminal study, which was the first to introduce it as a model of intervention, to more contemporary publications. The chapter also includes a summary of the more recent research on NDBIs. The empirical findings for both approaches underscore the fact that they are complex processes consisting of several different components, all of which are necessary for learners to maximize their potential. For EIBI, these components include timeliness of initiating services and intensity of services; relying on applied behavior analytic principles and tactics to assessment and program development; the use of a comprehensive, carefully designed, and individualized curriculum; deciding on the location of services (e.g., home, school, center); training parents; and securing ongoing supervision. For NDBI, important components identified include an integrated intervention based on developmental milestones and guided by operant learning principles, combined with parent training to ensure generalization. Finally, this chapter references important articles and books that can be used as resources for assessment procedures, curriculum manuals, and certification and supervision options.