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►Acadamic & Research

For those academically minded, here you will find journal articles and materials we think may be of interest. As we discover more good sources, we’ll be sure to update the lists accordingly.

NIHR Review of the Effectiveness and Cost-Effectiveness of EIBI – A major National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) review of the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of Early Intensive Behavioural Intervention (EIBI) has been published recently (2020). The study shows mixed results:

  • It does provide some evidence that EIBI (sometimes called an ‘ABA approach’) is an effective teaching protocol for children on the spectrum in the UK. 
  • However, the UK researchers discredit any research that is not British based (which is particularly unscientific). 
  • Additionally, as autism is a huge spectrum, ABA data is typically collected via single subject design. Traditional statistical analysis though are based on Randomised Controlled Trials (RCT), (which was used for this study). There is a strong argument that RCT is not the most appropriate method for researching the efficacies of ABA for people on the spectrum.

National Standards Project from the May Institute – A multi-year project undertaken by The National Autism Center (part of the May Institute). Beginning in 2009, the study was designed to research and establish the best teaching strategies and behavioural interventions for those on the spectrum. When combined with the 2015 results, the NSP is the largest to date meta analysis (all interventions ABA Horizons use are sourced from this report). We can’t link you directly to the NSP report, but if you sign up, you can download the file for fre

Cohen, H., et al., (2006) Early intensive behavioral treatment: Replication of the UCLA Model in a community setting. Developmental and Behavioral Paediatrics, 27, 145–155.


Cohen, H., et al., (2006) Early intensive behavioral treatment: Replication of the UCLA Model in a community setting. Developmental and Behavioral Paediatrics, 27, 145–155.


Eikeseth, S., et al.,(2002)Intensive behavioral treatment at school for 4–7-year-old children with autism: A 1-year comparison controlled study. Behavior Modification, 26, 49–68.


Eikeseth, S., et al., (2007) Outcome for children with autism who began intensive behavioral treatment between age four and seven: A comparison controlled study. Behavior Modification, 31, 264–278.

Eikeseth, S., et al., (2009) Intensity of supervision and outcome for preschool aged children receiving early and intensive behavioural interventions: A preliminary study. Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders 3 (2009) 67–73.

Hayward, D., et al., (2009) Assessing progress during treatment for young children with autism receiving intensive behavioural interventions Autism Vol 13(6) 613–633.

Grindle, C. F., et al., (2009) Parents’ Experiences of Home-Based Applied Behaviour Analysis Programmes for Young Children with Autism. J Autism Dev Disord (2009) 39:42–56

Howard, J. S., et al., (2005) A comparison of intensive behaviour analytic and eclectic treatment for young children with autism. Research in Developmental Disabilities, 26, 359–383.

Howlin, P., (1997) Prognosis in autism: do specialist treatments affect long-term outcome? European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 6, 55-72.

International Network of Agencies for Health Technology Assessment (2001) Behavioral Interventions for Preschool Children with Autism. Canadian Coordinating Office for Health Technology Assessment (CCOHTA) Technology Report, Issue 18, August 2001.

Jacobson, J.W., et al., (1998) Cost-benefit estimates for early intensive behavioral intervention for young children with autism: General model and single state case. Behavioral Interventions, 13: 201-226.

McEachin, J. J., Smith, T., & Lovaas, O. I., (1993) Long-term outcome for children with autism who received early intensive behavioral treatment. American Journal on Mental Retardation, 97 (4), 359-372.

Mudford, O., et al., (2009) Technical review of published research on applied behaviour analysis interventions for people with autism spectrum disorders: Auckland Uniservices Ltd. Wellington, New Zealand: Ministry of Education.

National Autism Center, (2009) National Standards Report – Addressing the need for evidence-based practice guidelines for Autism Spectrum Disorders. National Autism Center

New Zealand Guidelines Group. The effectiveness of applied behaviour analysis interventions for people with autism spectrum disorder. Systematic Review. Wellington; 2008.

Reichow, B., et al., (2009) Comprehensive synthesis of early intensive behavioral interventions for young children with autism based on the UCLA Young Autism Project model. J Autism Dev Disord31 (1): 23–41.

Remington, B., et al., (2007) A field effectiveness study of early intensive behavioral intervention: Outcomes for children with autism and their parents after two years. American Journal of Mental Retardation, 112, 418–438.

Roberts, J. M., (2003) A review of the research to identify the most effective models of best practice in the management of children with autism spectrum disorders. Sydney: Centre for Developmental Disability Studies.

Rogers, S. J., Vismara LA, (2008) Evidence-based comprehensive treatments for early autism. J Clin Child Adolesc Psychol 37 (1): 8–38.

Sallows, G., et al., (2005) Intensive behavioral treatment for children with autism: four-year outcome and predictors. Am J Ment Retard 110 (6): 417–38.

Smith, T., et al., (2000) Randomized trial of intensive early intervention for children with pervasive developmental disorder. American Journal on Mental Retardation 105: 269-285.