Autism spectrum disorder and related conditions

EIDBI Benefit

The Early Intensive Developmental and Behavioral Intervention (EIDBI) benefit is a Minnesota Health Care Program (MHCP) for children, youth and young adults up to age 21 with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) or related conditions. The purpose of the EIDBI benefit is to provide medically necessary services, including:

• Education, training and support for parents and families
• Intervention that teaches language, communication, self-care and safety skills, as well as regulation strategies.

Learn more about the benefit:

EIDBI Benefit page | MHCP Provider Manual-EIDBI | EIDBI Policy Manual

For a copy of the DHS EIDBI brochure (PDFs):

• American Indian
• English
• Hmong
• Karen
• Oromo
• Russian
• Somali
• Spanish
• Vietnamese

Programs and resources

Minnesota has developed a set of resources to help increase awareness and access to the range of services and supports available to people with ASD across the lifespan. To view these resources or request copies, visit the Pathway to Services and Supports on the Minnesota Autism Resource Portal.

Data and reports

• Children screened, diagnosed and treated for autism spectrum disorder: These data, published in compliance with Minn. Stat. 256B.69, Subd. 32a, show the number of children aged 1 to 6 who received a diagnostic assessment for autism spectrum disorder, the total number of children aged 1 to 6 with a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder who received treatments and the types of treatments provided to children who were enrolled in a managed-care organization.
• Early Intensive Developmental Behavioral Intervention Licensure Study Stakeholder Engagement Report (PDF) (August 2024)
• Minnesota Early Intensive Developmental Behavioral Intervention (EIDBI) Benefit Set: Review of Human Services Licensing Guidelines (PDF) (February 2024)
• Mapping the Journey of Families Who Have Children with Autism Through Social and Human Services, Medical, and Education Systems (PDF): This report describes the results of a Journey Mapping process Wilder Research conducted on behalf of DHS, to learn more about the experiences of families as they navigate the Minnesota system for services and supports.
• Early Intensive Developmental and Behavioral Intervention: A Background and Summary Overview of Minnesota's Autism Benefit Program (PDF) (March 2019) is a report by Wilder Research. DHS contracted with Wilder to conduct research and evaluation of the Early Intensive Developmental and Behavioral Intervention (EIDBI) benefit for the treatment of people under 21 years old with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). This report provides information from current studies and from survey responses from states about the evaluation of treatment outcomes associated with various treatment modalities. We will post more reports and updates as part of the ongoing EIDBI evaluation.
• DHS published a legislative report, Early Intensive Developmental and Behavioral Intervention (EIDBI) provider shortage and progress (PDF), in July 2021 to update the Legislature on the issue.
• Dangers of Wandering for Children with Autism DHS-8222 (PDF) describes behavior common for children with autism -- also known as "eloping" or "bolting" -- and outlines tips for parents and caregivers to prevent it. The three-page document also offers tips on what to do when it happens. Translations available in Hmong, Karen, Oromo, Russian, Somali, Spanish and Vietnamese.

More information

• For more information about autism programs and services, visit the Minnesota Autism Resource Portal.
• If you have questions, email the DHS ASD team.
• If you would like to receive e-mail updates and notifications related to ASD services and supports in Minnesota, use the form below to sign up for eList announcements.