Early Intensive Behavioural Intervention (UCLA YAP Model) and Autism Ranking:

Current Research

We have identified more than 30 scientific studies of the Early Intensive Behavioural Intervention - UCLA YAP model (or very similar programmes such as the Murdoch Early Intervention Program) published in peer-reviewed journals. We have also identified a number of systematic reviews of those same studies, some of which used meta-analysis to evaluate those same studies.

The published studies included a total of more than 1,500 plus autistic children aged between 1 and 8 years old.

• Some of the studies (such as Lovaas 1987; Smith et al. 1997) compared intensity of behavioral intervention (that is high intensity vs. low intensity).
• Some of the studies (such as Birnbrauer and Leach 1993 ; Cohen et al 2006; Eldevik et al. 2006; Eikeseth et al.2007; Magiati et al. 2007 ; Sheinkopf and Siegel 1998 ) compared EIBI with other treatments (such as treatment as usual, specialist nursery school etc.).
• Some of the studies (such as Sallows and Graupner 2005 ; Smith et al. 2000) examined two service coordination models (clinic vs. parent-coordination) of EIBI.
• A minority of studies (such as Lovaas et al, 1987; Birnbrauer and Leach, 1993; Butter, Mulickand Metz 2006) reported significant improvements in IQ, along with claims that half of the children now function almost normally.
• The vast majority of the other studies reported significant improvements in many areas (such as communication skills, social skills, adaptive behaviour, self-care, academic development and IQ).
• A minority of studies (such as Birnbrauer et al, 1993; Boyd, 2001; Eldevik et al, 2006; Sheinkopf, 1999) reported limited positive results.
• A minority of studies (such as Bibby et al, 2001; Smith, 1997; Smith 2000b) reported mixed or inconsistent results.

A number of systematic reviews of the EIBI UCLA YAP model (and similar models) have suggested that the model provides significant benefits for some autistic children.

For example

• Eldevik S. et al. (2009) concluded that “EIBI produces large to moderate effect sizes for changes in IQ and ABC [Aberrant Behaviour Checklist] scores for children with ASD when compared with no intervention controls and eclectic provision. These results support the clinical implication that EIBI at present should be an intervention of choice for children with ASD.”
• Makrygianni M. K. Reed P. (2010) concluded that “behavioural [early intervention programmes]are very effective in improving the intellectual, language, communication and social abilities of children with ASD, while they had a moderate to high effect on the adaptive behavioural improvement of the children.”

However, Spreckley and Boyd (2009) concluded that “Currently there is inadequate evidence that [EIBI programmes have] better outcomes than standard care for children with autism. Appropriately powered clinical trials with broader outcomes are required.”

Updated

16 Jun 2022

Last Review

01 Sep 2016

Next Review

01 Jan 2023