What is Intensive

Behaviour Therapy
(IBI)
by Holly H., Christina S., Elizabeth C., and
Sarah Ahmad
IBI “stands for Intensive Behavioural Intervention, which refers to the application
of principles of ABA in an intensive setting, (minimum 25 hours per week) to result in
behaviour change and improvement” (Geneva, 2006).
 The Connection Between IBI and ABA
● ABA stands for Applied Behaviour Analysis
● “Methods are used based on scientific
principles of learning and behaviour, which
encourage children to increase useful
behaviour, and the ability to reduce
unwanted behaviour “(Government of
Ontario, n.d.).
● “This therapy is used to create
interventions, according to the objective
evaluations” (Geneva Centre For Autism,
2006).
● “ABA can be used anywhere (examples: at
home, at school, and within the
community)”- (Geneva Centre For Autism,
2006).
● “IBI is an application of ABA to teach new
skills in an intensive format (approximately
20 or more hours per week). Primarily, a
one-to-one teaching ratio is required”
(Government of Ontario, n.d.).
● “Specific and Intensive format” (Geneva
Centre for Autism, 2006).
● “Usually done privately at home or in a
space approved by the Autism Intervention
Program, at a one on one ratio” (Geneva
Centre for Autism, 2006).
● “Preparing students for school, supported
by psychologist and done by IBI therapist”
(Geneva Centre for Autism, 2006).
“Autism rocks and rolls,
and spins, and flaps, and
twirls” (Autism in Mind, 2017)
 IBI- How Does it Works?

● Typically, IBI is either done at home, or in a privatized space which is designated by the
Autism Intervention Program. This is usually done before the child is old enough to go to
school, to be able to support them when they go to school (Geneva, 2017).
● Usually done in a one-to-one setting. Could also be delivered in a small group setting. There
are a certain number of hours per week that need to be obtained. This could be up to 40
hours per week, depending on the intensity of the program needing to be delivered to the
child.
● A trained behaviour therapist would do this training with the child, who is also supervised by
a psychologist (Geneva, 2017).
● IBI programs are made to support children with learning differences, and more in depth
behaviours. This is accomplished by breaking down the behaviours into smaller steps. They
design the program depending on the strengths of each individual child. This training also
includes behaviours such as cooperation, “imitation and attention.” (Geneva, 2017).
 Steps and Strategies of IBI

As previously mentioned, the goal of IBI has been based on supporting children with autism on their development, to
decrease or correct any behaviour that could be of a challenge in the future. This will also provide them with learning
strategies for years to come; but how do specialists do it?

- After determining the kind of setting, intensity and more or less the duration of the training, the trainer, together
with the family, will dedicate a few more hours into developing a program that is right for that child -
(individualized) - to include the goals of the training, the strengths, needs of each child, and to in some cases,
support the family’s lifestyle without forgetting culture, values, language, age, preferences;
- testing gets done to identify what behaviour and/or any other areas of the spectrum needed to be taught;
- collection of data is next, to specify techniques most appropriate to teaching those behaviours/needs;
- then the trainer faces the child to show, communicate and clarify those areas, using manipulatives and strong but
supportive prompts, shaping the target behaviour or skill, and when mastered, chaining takes into place (it might
need a breakdown by steps) to move to our next targeted behaviour, without forgetting the valuable
reinforcements throughout all the time of the program;
- monitoring, recording and training the family and/or caregiver to follow techniques follows, to preach consistency
until next session.
IBI Session Sample

(Bunda., 2009)
 Academic Strategies of IBI

“IBI techniques are taught to students to increase language and social skills
while decreasing difficult and problematic behaviour.

Using positive reinforcement procedures, creates the success of the IBI

treatment.

The purpose of IBI is to help students gain social skills so they can interact with
others and motivate the student to produce independent language skills. These
skills that are used in IBI sessions can be generalized in various areas, such as in
school settings” ( Behavioral Dimensions., n.d.)
 IBI and how it relates to being an EA

Some students with Autism whom we may work with, may go to IBI throughout the
week and miss school. Depending on the intensity of the IBI, some students may be
away from school for a year or more.

As EAs, we learn to adjust their school schedule and tasks, around IBI, to fulfill
positive transition, self regulation and independence.

EAs are not IBI therapists, however, as support staff and educators, we can
advocate for our students, follow the IEP and do our part in learning about the
behaviours and plans to be implemented as to follow with the expectations of the
school and universal community.
How IBA impacts children with ASD

(Hands., 2016)
 The Future of IBI in Autism

The hopes of our vast population and professionals, related and interested in the Autism
Spectrum Disorder, often sees a future ahead for the IBI phenomena; however, there is much to
be done.

Some researches indicate we are not in the position of fully report complete and positive high
gains while using this experience; while others vow to this treatment.

Some areas still to be looked after on more details are: qualified personnel to develop and train
these children; investigating which areas of the autism are more beneficial and will be the most
approachable to start with; effectiveness; how to maintain quality and achievements; last but
not least, if it would be monetarily supported by the government as one of the programs of
choice.
 References

Autism in Mind. (2017). Autism in Mind. Retrieved from https://autisminmind.org/

Bunda, M. (2009, January 31). IBI Therapy - matching. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M0e-
_PPL_nM

Behavioral Dimensions. (2014). Learn about Intensive Behavioral Intervention (IBI). Retrieved from
https://behavioraldimensions.com/services/intensive-behavioral-intervention/

Geneva Centre of Autism. (2006). What is IBI and is it the same as ABA?. Retrieved from https://www.autism.net/faqs/595-what-
is-ibi-and-is-it-the-same-as-aba.html

Government of Ontario, Ministry of CYS.. (n.d.). ASD Diagnosis and Treatment. Retrieved from
http://www.children.gov.on.ca/htdocs/English/specialneeds/autism/aprk/asd-diagnosis-and-
treatment/interventions.aspx

Hands. (2016, December 14). Autism Services: Hands' Intensive Behavioural Intervention (IBI). Retrieved from
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m3VFK-5pJUk