TY - JOUR

T1 - Cost-effective models for delivering behaviour analysis teaching in UK schools and local authorities

AU - McCandless, Susan

AU - Hoerger, Marguerite

PY - 2022/6

Y1 - 2022/6

N2 - Education programmes based on behaviour analysis are often used to teach children with learning disabilities. A common application of behaviour analysis is Early Intensive Behaviour Intervention (EIBI), which is evidence-based, but most children in the UK do not have access to this approach. EIBI is usually implemented for 30 to 40 hours per week, over two years. High levels of supervision from behaviour analysts are essential to ensure EIBI's effectiveness. A recent cost-effectiveness study concluded that EIBI was not cost-effective: while the children make progress relative to treatment as usual, the outcomes did not justify the cost of the intervention. Other low-cost models of delivery need to be considered. School-based models used in the UK may provide cost-effective and sustainable ways to use applied behaviour analysis in schools. They could be used in other local authorities to increase access to an education that includes behaviour analysis.

AB - Education programmes based on behaviour analysis are often used to teach children with learning disabilities. A common application of behaviour analysis is Early Intensive Behaviour Intervention (EIBI), which is evidence-based, but most children in the UK do not have access to this approach. EIBI is usually implemented for 30 to 40 hours per week, over two years. High levels of supervision from behaviour analysts are essential to ensure EIBI's effectiveness. A recent cost-effectiveness study concluded that EIBI was not cost-effective: while the children make progress relative to treatment as usual, the outcomes did not justify the cost of the intervention. Other low-cost models of delivery need to be considered. School-based models used in the UK may provide cost-effective and sustainable ways to use applied behaviour analysis in schools. They could be used in other local authorities to increase access to an education that includes behaviour analysis.

KW - applied behaviour analysis

KW - autism

KW - cost-effectiveness

KW - intellectual disability

U2 - 10.1111/1467-8578.12399

DO - 10.1111/1467-8578.12399

M3 - Article

VL - 49

SP - 261

EP - 275

JO - British Journal of Special Education

JF - British Journal of Special Education

SN - 0952-3383

IS - 2

ER -