Overview of meta-analyses on early intensive behavioral intervention for young children with autism spectrum disorders.

Reichow (2012) looked at five earlier meta-analyses on early intensive behavioral intervention (EIBI).

All studies were with preschoolers diagnosed with autism.

He pooled their numbers to see how strong the evidence really is.

Four out of five meta-analyses said EIBI works.

Kids gained about half a standard deviation in IQ and daily-living skills.

Effect sizes ranged from small to large, so results are not guaranteed.

Bigham et al. (2013) extends the picture: when parents are trained and deliver part of the program, the gains jump to large.

Eldevik et al. (2006) seems to contradict by showing only tiny gains, but they used just 12 hours a week.

Lower hours explain the smaller payoff, so the papers actually agree that intensity matters.

Chen et al. (2001) warned that real-world programs often start late and run fewer hours, foreshadowing why Brian sees wide effect ranges.

You can tell funders that EIBI has solid meta-analytic backing, but sell them on full-time hours plus parent coaching.

Screen each case for the aloof social subtype flagged by Beglinger et al. (2005) and plan extra supports.

If a family can only get 15 hours, don’t promise Lovaas-level recovery; push for parent training to stretch the dose.