FOI 24.25 0856 Your Request for information Documents.pdf

FOI 24/25-0856
DOCUMENT 1
From:
47F -   Aaron
To:
Star
47F
; 47F -  Naomi
Cc:

47F -   Stephanie

Subject:
Cleared: RES 335 Reducing Applied Behaviour Analysis over time [SEC=OFFICIAL]

Date:
Monday, 8 January 2024 2:06:52 PM

Attachments:
RES 335 Reducing Applied Behaviour Analysis therapy over time.docx
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Hi Star
Please find attached RES 335 Reducing Applied Behaviour Analysis over time.
This task has been cleared by the Tactical Research and Intelligence team. If there are any
issues with the paper or any reason it should not be shared with the branch please get in
touch with us as soon as possible.
Thanks and all the best
Aaron 47F -
Personal
Research Officer
Operations and Practice Improvement
Technical Advice and Practice Improvement Branch
National Disability Insurance Agency
T 47F - Personal   E 47F - Personal privacy
I work Monday to Thursday on Gumbaynggirr Country
privacy
Requesting Advice / TAPIB Confluence / TAPIB Intranet
The NDIA acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and their
continuing connection to land, sea and community. We pay our respects to them and their
cultures and to Elders past, present and emerging.
Page 1 of 20

Literature Review
FOI 24/25-0856

DOCUMENT 1.A
OFFICIAL
For Internal Use Only
Reducing Applied Behaviour Analysis over time
The content of this document is OFFICIAL.
Please note:
The research and literature reviews collated by our TAB Research Team are not to be shared
external to the Branch. These are for internal TAB use only and are intended to assist our
advisors with their reasonable and necessary decision-making.
Delegates have access to a wide variety of comprehensive guidance material. If Delegates
require further information on access or planning matters, they are to call the TAPS line for
advice.
The Research Team are unable to ensure that the information listed below provides an
accurate & up-to-date snapshot of these matters
Research question: Is there substantial evidence that a step-down transition away from
Applied Behaviour Analysis (ABA) therapy can provide outcomes and be of benefit?
Date: 3/1/24
Requestor: Star

47F -
Pers
Endorsed by: Naomi
  47F -

Persona
Researcher: Stephanie
  47F -
, Aaron 47F -

Personal
Personal
Cleared by: Stephanie 47F -

Personal
1. Contents
Reducing Applied Behaviour Analysis over time ........................................................................ 1
1.
Contents ....................................................................................................................... 1
2.
Summary ...................................................................................................................... 2
3.
Previous TAPIB research papers .................................................................................. 2
4.
Review of Provided Literature ....................................................................................... 2
5.
Other sources ............................................................................................................... 2
6.
Literature review table ................................................................................................... 4
7.
References ................................................................................................................... 7
Reducing ABA
Page 1 of 7
OFFICIAL
Page 2 of 20

Literature Review
FOI 24/25-0856

OFFICIAL
For Internal Use Only
2. Summary
This paper considers the evidence for a step-down model of reducing frequency or intensity of
applied behaviour analysis (ABA). No evidence was found regarding the effectiveness of a
step-down model. One international ABA accreditation body, the Behavioral Health Center of
Excellence, recommends a gradual reduction in hours when concluding ABA therapy.
Five papers were attached with the research request. None of the papers directly relate to the
efficacy of a step-down model of reducing ABA supports.
Previous TAPIB research has found a lack of consensus regarding appropriate intensity and
duration of ABA therapy. Recent Australian guidelines on the delivery of supports for children
with autism note that supports should be individualised and there is no set number of hours of
therapy which are appropriate for every child.
3.  Previous TAPIB research papers
Previous TAPIB research papers related to ABA include:
  RES 246 ABA and positive behaviour support.docx
  RES 292 Applied behaviour analysis for adults with ASD.docx
RES 246 found no evidence for appropriate frequency, intensity or timeframe of ABA required
to affect a reduction in behaviours of concern, nor any information on reducing intensity of
support over time.
RES 292 found lack of consensus regarding appropriate frequency, intensity or timeframe of
ABA. The studies review in this paper emphasised that an individualised approach to
determining frequency, intensity and timeframe of supports is required.
4.  Review of Provided Literature
Five papers were attached with the research request (refer to 6. Literature Review table for
further details). None of the attached papers were directly relevant to the research question.
None of the papers reviewed directly addressed the benefits of an extended timeframe of
supports or the benefits of slowly reducing ABA support over time. No quality assessment was
completed due to lack of relevance to the research question.
5. Other
sources
The Behavioral Health Center of Excellence (BHCE) is a private organisation that offers
accreditation of applied behaviour analysts. They suggest fading out services gradually based
on the needs of the client (BHCE, n.d.). However, BHCE provide no evidence on which they
base this recommendation.

Reducing ABA
Page 2 of 7
OFFICIAL
Page 3 of 20

Literature Review
FOI 24/25-0856

OFFICIAL
For Internal Use Only
Autism CRC’s recent National Guideline for supporting the learning, participation, and
wellbeing of autistic children and their families in Australia (Trembath et al, 2022), makes the
following recommendations around duration of supports:
56 . 1 The amount and duration of support provision should be tailored to the individual
needs of the child and family. This includes consideration of the frequency, length, and
time of day of support sessions, and variations in support needs over time.
56.3 Practitioners should inform parents that there is no set number of hours per week
of practitioner delivered child-directed supports that leads to the best outcomes for all
children.
56 . 4 Practitioners should be aware that research evidence does not support the
concept that supports delivered in greater amounts consistently lead to better child and
family outcomes (Trembath et al, 2022, pp.95-96).
The National Guideline does not discuss reducing therapy over time.

Reducing ABA
Page 3 of 7
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Literature Review
FOI 24/25-0856

OFFICIAL
For Internal Use Only
7. References
Behavioral Health Center of Excellence. (n.d.). Suggestions for Ethically Fading Out ABA
Services. https://www.bhcoe.org/2016/11/suggestions-ethically-fading-aba-services/
Camargo, S. P., Rispoli, M., Ganz, J., Hong, E. R., Davis, H., & Mason, R. (2014). A review of
the quality of behaviorally-based intervention research to improve social interaction
skills of children with ASD in inclusive settings. Journal of autism and developmental
disorders, 44(9), 2096–2116. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-014-2060-7
Ivy, J.W. & Schreck, K.A. (2016). The Efficacy of ABA for Individuals with Autism Across the
Lifespan. Current Developmental Disorder Reports, 3, 57–66.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s40474-016-0070-1
Kadar, M., McDonald, R., & Lentin, P. (2012). Evidence-based practice in occupational therapy
services for children with autism spectrum disorders in Victoria, Australia. Australian
occupational therapy journal, 59(4), 284–293. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1440-
1630.2012.01015.x
National Autism Center. (2015). Findings and conclusions: National standards project, phase
2. https://www.nationalautismcenter.org/national-standards-project/phase-2/
Steinbrenner, J. R., Hume, K., Odom, S. L., Morin, K. L., Nowell, S. W., Tomaszewski, B.,
Szendrey, S., McIntyre, N. S., Yücesoy-Özkan, S., & Savage, M. N. (2020). Evidence-
based practices for children, youth, and young adults with Autism. The University of
North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute,
National Clearinghouse on Autism Evidence and Practice Review Team.
V0.0 XX-XX-XXXX
Abbreviated Title
Page 7 of 7
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Page 8 of 20

FOI 24/25-0856
DOCUMENT 3
From:
47F -   Aaron
To:
47E(d) -
Subject:
FW: Cleared: RES 335 Reducing Applied Behaviour Analysis over time [SEC=OFFICIAL]

Date:
Monday, 8 January 2024 2:14:14 PM

Attachments:
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image002.png

image003.png
Forgot to send from Research inbox.
From: 47F   Star
Sent: Monday, January 8, 2024 2:42 PM

To: 47F -
Aaron ; 47F -  Naomi

Cc: Personal
47F -
Stephanie
Person
Subject: Re: Cleared: RES 335 Reducing Applied Behaviour Analysis over time [SEC=OFFICIAL]

Personal
Thank you for this comprehensive research review, Aaron!
I really appreciate the fast turn around of this support.
Warm regards,
Star 47F -
she/her
Pers

Technical Advisor, BSc(SpPath)
Technical Advice and Practice Improvement Branch
Health and Safety Representative
National Disability Insurance Agency
E 47F - Personal privacy
Monday- Friday
The NDIA acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and
their continuing connection to land, sea and community. We pay our respects to them and
their cultures and to Elders past, present and emerging.
From: 47F -
Aaron 47F - Personal privacy
Sent: Monday, 8 January 2024 11:36 AM
P
l
To: 47F   Star 47F - Personal privacy
47F -  Naomi 47F - Personal privacy
Cc:   47F -
Stephanie 47F - Personal privacy
P
Subject:
P
Cleared: RES 335 Reducing Applied Behaviour Analysis over time [SEC=OFFICIAL]

l

Hi Star
Please find attached RES 335 Reducing Applied Behaviour Analysis over time.
This task has been cleared by the Tactical Research and Intelligence team. If there are any
issues with the paper or any reason it should not be shared with the branch please get in
touch with us as soon as possible.
Thanks and all the best
Aaron 47F -
Personal
Research Officer
Page 10 of 20

FOI 24/25-0856
Operations and Practice Improvement
Technical Advice and Practice Improvement Branch
National Disability Insurance Agency
T 47F - Personal E 47F - Personal privacy
I work Monday to Thursday on Gumbaynggirr Country
privacy
Requesting Advice / TAPIB Confluence / TAPIB Intranet
The NDIA acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and their
continuing connection to land, sea and community. We pay our respects to them and their
cultures and to Elders past, present and emerging.
Page 11 of 20

FOI 24/25-0856
DOCUMENT 5
From:
Star
47F
To:

47F -  Aaron; 47F -  Naomi
Cc:
47F -   Stephanie
Subject:
Re: Cleared: RES 335 Reducing Applied Behaviour Analysis over time [SEC=OFFICIAL]

Date:
Monday, 8 January 2024 2:12:17 PM

Attachments:
image001.png

image002.png
image003.png
Thank you for this comprehensive research review, Aaron!
I really appreciate the fast turn around of this support.
Warm regards,
Star 47F -
she/her
Perso

Technical Advisor, BSc(SpPath)
Technical Advice and Practice Improvement Branch
Health and Safety Representative
National Disability Insurance Agency
E 47F - Personal privacy
Monday- Friday
The NDIA acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and
their continuing connection to land, sea and community. We pay our respects to them
and their cultures and to Elders past, present and emerging.
From: 47F -
Aaron
Sent: Monday, 8 January 2024 11:36 AM
Personal
To:
Star
47F -
; 47F -  , Naomi
Cc: Pers
4
Stephanie
Perso
Subject:
7
Cleared: RES 335 Reducing Applied Behaviour Analysis over time [SEC=OFFICIAL]

Hi Star

Please find attached RES 335 Reducing Applied Behaviour Analysis over time.
This task has been cleared by the Tactical Research and Intelligence team. If there are any
issues with the paper or any reason it should not be shared with the branch please get in
touch with us as soon as possible.
Thanks and all the best
Aaron

47F -
Personal
Research Officer
Page 13 of 20

FOI 24/25-0856
DOCUMENT 6
From:
Star
47F
To:

47F -  Aaron; 47F -  Naomi
Cc:
47F -  Stephanie
Subject:
Re: Cleared: RES 335 Reducing Applied Behaviour Analysis over time [SEC=OFFICIAL]

Date:
Monday, 8 January 2024 2:12:17 PM

Attachments:
image001.png

image002.png
image003.png
Thank you for this comprehensive research review, Aaron!
I really appreciate the fast turn around of this support.
Warm regards,
Star 47F -
she/her
Perso

Technical Advisor, BSc(SpPath)
Technical Advice and Practice Improvement Branch
Health and Safety Representative
National Disability Insurance Agency
E 47F - Personal privacy
Monday- Friday
The NDIA acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and
their continuing connection to land, sea and community. We pay our respects to them
and their cultures and to Elders past, present and emerging.
From: 47F -
Aaron
Sent: Monday, 8 January 2024 11:36 AM
Personal
To: 47F   Star ; 47F -   Naomi
Cc:   47F -
Stephanie
Person
Subject: Cleared: RES 335 Reducing Applied Behaviour Analysis over time [SEC=OFFICIAL]

Personal

Hi Star
Please find attached RES 335 Reducing Applied Behaviour Analysis over time.
This task has been cleared by the Tactical Research and Intelligence team. If there are any
issues with the paper or any reason it should not be shared with the branch please get in
touch with us as soon as possible.
Thanks and all the best
Aaron 47F -
Personal
Research Officer
Page 15 of 20

FOI 24/25-0856
DOCUMENT 7
From:
47F -  Aaron
To:
47F -
Peter
Cc:
47F -   Stephanie

Subject:
RE: For clearance: January research update [SEC=OFFICIAL]
Date:
Wednesday, 24 January 2024 11:40:00 AM

Attachments:
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image002.png
image003.png
Brilliant, thanks Peter.
I’ll send out the update now.
And yes, we’ve had some really interesting projects already this year. 2024 is
shaping up to be a good year for research!
All the best
Aaron 47F -
Research Officer
Personal
Operations and Practice Improvement
Technical Advice and Practice Improvement Branch
National Disability Insurance Agency
T 47F - Personal   E 47F - Personal privacy
I work Monday to Thursday on Gumbaynggirr Country
privacy
Requesting Advice / TAPIB Confluence / TAPIB Intranet
The NDIA acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and
their continuing connection to land, sea and community. We pay our respects to them
and their cultures and to Elders past, present and emerging.
From:4
, Peter
Sent: Wednesday, January 24, 2024 12:06 PM
7
To:

47F -
Aaron

Cc: P
, Stephanie
l
47F -
Subject:
P
RE: For clearance: January research update [SEC=OFFICIAL]
l
Thanks Aaron
Interesting topics that you have covered!
Endorsed to be sent out.
FYI – we are still progressing access to an academic library and hope to have some news on this
soon……

Thanks
Peter
From: 47F -
Aaron 47F - Personal privacy

P
l
Page 17 of 20

FOI 24/25-0856
every child.
Thanks for reading!
Aaron 47F -
Research Officer
Personal
Operations and Practice Improvement
Technical Advice and Practice Improvement Branch
National Disability Insurance Agency
T 47F - Personal E 47F - Personal privacy
I work Monday to Thursday on Gumbaynggirr Country
privacy
Requesting Advice / TAPIB Confluence / TAPIB Intranet
The NDIA acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and
their continuing connection to land, sea and community. We pay our respects to them
and their cultures and to Elders past, present and emerging.
Page 19 of 20