Autism Intervention Program – Intensive Behaviour Intervention
Who Can Use This Service?
Children are eligible for this service if
- diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder and meet the eligibility criteria for Intensive Behaviour Intervention (IBI)
- the parents consent to the treatment
- there is a treatment space available
- the needs of the child do not exceed the resources of the program
A child who is deemed eligible for treatment is usually placed on a waitlist. If the child has been on the waitlist for 12 months or more, they will require a suitability assessment when a treatment space is available to ensure they are still appropriate for the program.
What Is Offered?
The Autism Intervention Program provides Intensive Behaviour Intervention to children diagnosed with autism. More specifically, the child will receive between 20-30 hours of one-to-one treatment from a trained instructor therapist using a structured evidence-based program. The program operates during the school day usually from 9 to 2 pm. Parents are required to be involved in the program.
How Will This Service Help?
This intensive program uses Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) techniques to improve the child's behaviour in the areas of social and communication skills. Instructor Therapists trained in IBI work with the child in their environment to increase the frequency of positive behaviours, and reduce the frequency of negative behaviours. This involves breaking down specific behaviours into small learnable components and then teaching the desired behaviours using positive reinforcement. The child's responses are recorded and evaluated which allows for changes to the treatment program in order to achieve desired outcomes.
The goal of IBI treatment is to teach the child new language, social, play, self help and academic skills that can then be transferred and used in other environments. IBI is offered both in a centre-based environment and within the school
How Can You Find Out More Or Access This Service?
To find out how you can access this service you can call Child Care Resources at 1-877-996-1599 or the Children's Centre at 343-5000 and ask to speak to the Program Manager, Early Intervention Program.
