Glossary
Page updated: 3/3/26
A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | L | M | O | P | Q | R | S | T | W
Note: The Minnesota Autism Resource Portal includes a variety of resources about terms included on this page.
A
Adaptive behavior treatment: Refer to intervention.
Adaptive behavior treatment with protocol modification: Refer to observation and direction.
Advanced certification: Specialized credentials beyond foundational training in one of the DHS-recognized treatment modalities. Advanced certification:
For more information, refer to the advanced certification section of EIDBI – Qualified supervising professional (QSP) qualifications, roles and responsibilities.
Advanced certification provider: A provider who holds advanced certification in the DHS-recognized treatment modality the agency provides. All EIDBI agencies must have at least one provider who holds advanced certification in the modality the agency provides. An agency cannot operate without an advanced certification provider. The advanced certification provider is responsible to oversee fidelity of the modality and training of non-certified staff. The advanced certification provider must either be enrolled as a qualified supervising professional (QSP) or level I provider. For more information, refer to EIDBI – Treatment modalities – Certified providers.
Agency: A legal entity enrolled with Minnesota Health Care Programs (MHCP) as a Medical Assistance (MA) provider, according to Minnesota Rules, part 9505.0195, to provide EIDBI services. This includes an individual licensed professional who practices independently and acts as an agency. The agency is legally responsible to make sure its employees provide EIDBI services according to all applicable laws.
Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA): A treatment modality with a set of data-driven practices grounded in behavioral science. Providers can apply this approach to people of all ages. ABA focuses on increasing positive and appropriate behaviors through reinforcement while decreasing interfering/unwanted behaviors or behaviors that interfere with learning. Under ABA, the provider systematically analyzes factors in the person’s environment that interfere with their success and teaches them new and more helpful ways to respond. For more information, refer to EIDBI – Treatment modalities – ABA.
Autism-Focused Intervention Resources and Modules (AFIRM): Resources designed to help explain a step-by-step process to plan for, use and monitor an evidence-based practice with people who have autism spectrum disorder (ASD), from birth to age 22. For more information, refer to EIDBI – Treatment modalities – Other approved, evidence-based treatment practices.
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD): Core symptoms of ASD include when the person has:
1. Differences in social communication and social interaction across multiple contexts, demonstrated by differences in all the following:
2. Restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior, interests or activities, demonstrated by at least two of the following:
For more information, refer to EIDBI – Eligibility for EIDBI services.
ASD Strategies in Action: An online, video-based learning series that covers the characteristics of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and evidence-based strategies to support people with ASD in homes, schools and community settings. For more information, refer to EIDBI – Individual provider trainings.
B
Background study: A study that determines whether a person has committed an act that would disqualify them from providing care. The provider agency must complete a NETStudy 2.0 background check for all people who have direct contact (i.e., in person or via telehealth) with people who receive services and their legal representatives, including volunteers, subcontractors and temporary staff. For more information, refer to EIDBI – Rights and responsibilities.
Behavior analyst: A person who holds a valid license under Minn. Stat. §148.9981 to Minn. Stat. §148.9995 to practice applied behavior analysis.
Behavior identification assessment: Refer to comprehensive multi-disciplinary evaluation (CMDE).
Billing: For general MHCP billing requirements, refer to MHCP Provider Manual – Billing policy overview. Refer to the EIDBI billing grid for:
For current payment rates, refer to DHS – MHCP fee schedule. For more information, refer to MHCP Provider Manual – EIDBI benefit – Billing.
C
Case notes: A documentation requirement. Each time an EIDBI provider delivers an EIDBI service to a person or their legal representative, the provider must create a case note to document the service delivery. For more information, refer to EIDBI – Health service records – Case notes.
Center: A setting where a person receives EIDBI services that:
For more information, refer to EIDBI – Settings.
Clinic: A setting where a person receives diagnostic, outpatient and/or EIDBI services that:
For more information, refer to EIDBI – Settings.
Clinical supervision: The overall responsibility for the control and direction of EIDBI service delivery, including:
Qualified supervising professionals (QSPs) are the primary clinical supervisors. Other qualified EIDBI providers may supplement clinical supervision services as clinically appropriate. During clinical supervision, the QSP takes full professional responsibility for the service provided by each supervisee and the clinical effectiveness of all interventions. For more information, refer to EIDBI – Clinical supervision.
Community environment: A setting (e.g., park, shopping center, school, museum) where a person may receive EIDBI services to:
For more information, refer to EIDBI – Settings.
Comprehensive multi-disciplinary evaluation (CMDE) (also known as behavior identification assessment): An EIDBI service that covers the required comprehensive evaluation of the person. The CMDE is an assessment that must be completed to initiate services and updated at least once every three years. The information gathered in the CMDE is used to:
For more information, refer to EIDBI – CMDE.
Comprehensive Multi-Disciplinary Evaluation (CMDE) and Individual Treatment Plan (ITP) Overview: A self-paced online training for CMDE providers and qualified supervising professionals (QSPs), along with any providers who help complete the CMDE or ITP. It covers:
For more information, refer to EIDBI – Individual provider trainings.
Comprehensive Multi-Disciplinary Evaluation (CMDE) Medical Necessity Summary Information, DHS-7108: The form the CMDE provider uses to document and summarize the results of the person’s evaluation. The provider must submit DHS-7108 to the state medical review agent or applicable health care plan for medical necessity approval before the person can receive EIDBI services. For more information, refer to EIDBI – CMDE and EIDBI – How to complete the CMDE, DHS-7108.
Comprehensive multi-disciplinary evaluation (CMDE) provider: Refer to EIDBI – CMDE provider qualifications, roles and responsibilities.
Coordinated care conference (also known as a medical team conference): An EIDBI service that covers a voluntary meeting between the person who receives services, their family, EIDBI provider(s), other service professionals and/or other people the person/family requests to:
For more information, refer to EIDBI – Coordinated care conference.
Coordinating Services and Supports for a Child with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) or a Related Condition: A self-paced online course that helps professionals working with children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and related conditions and their families make accurate referrals based on the person and their family’s needs. For more information, refer to EIDBI – Individual provider trainings.
Crisis plan: Refer to safety plan.
Cultural Responsiveness in ASD Services: An online training module that helps providers increase their understanding of culturally responsive practices when providing services to people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) or related conditions. For more information, refer to EIDBI – Individual provider trainings.
Customized environment for higher intensity intervention: A setting designed to safely deliver intervention services for severe, destructive behaviors that pose an imminent risk to the person or others. Examples of a customized environment include a room with:
A customized environment is required when billing for a higher intensity intervention session, regardless of the location where the person receives services. For more information refer to EIDBI – Settings and EIDBI – Intervention.
D
Department: The Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS), unless otherwise specified.
Developmental, Individual Difference, Relationship-Based (DIR)/Floortime Model: A treatment modality that provides a framework for a provider to conduct a comprehensive assessment of the person and develop a program tailored to their unique needs and strengths. Providers can apply this approach to people of all ages. DIR/Floortime creates opportunities for learning through spontaneous exchanges. These exchanges help the person build critical developmental abilities, including the ability to:
For more information, refer to EIDBI – Treatment modalities – DIR/Floortime.
Diagnosis: A diagnosis of ASD or a related condition must:
For more information, refer to EIDBI – Eligibility.
Discharge plan: Refer to transition plan and/or discharge summary.
E
Early Intensive Developmental and Behavioral Intervention (EIDBI) benefit: A Minnesota Health Care Program (MHCP) that offers medically necessary treatment for people who:
The purpose of the EIDBI benefit is to provide medically necessary, early and intensive intervention for people with ASD and related conditions. The benefit also is intended to:
For more information, refer to EIDBI – Overview of the benefit.
Early Start Denver Model (ESDM): A treatment modality that integrates a relationship-focused, developmental model with Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) teaching practices. The program typically serves children ages 12 to 48 months. The program:
For more information, refer to EIDBI – Treatment modalities – ESDM.
EIDBI 101: An online training about the various requirements of providing EIDBI services. For more information, refer to EIDBI – Individual provider trainings.
Eligibility: A person is eligible to receive Early Intensive Developmental and Behavioral Intervention (EIDBI) services if they meet all the following criteria:
A Minnesota Health Care Programs (MHCP)-enrolled CMDE provider determines whether a person meets these eligibility criteria during the CMDE process. For more information, refer to EIDBI – Eligibility.
Emergency use of manual restraint (EUMR): People who receive EIDBI services must be free from seclusion or the use of manual restraints, except for the emergency use of manual restraints. The provider must only use emergency use of manual restraint when:
For more information, refer to EIDBI – Rights and responsibilities.
Employee: A person who is employed temporarily, part time or full time by the agency that submits claims or billing for the work, services, supervision or treatment performed by the person. This does not include:
F
Family adaptive behavior treatment guidance: Refer to family/caregiver training and counseling.
Family/caregiver training and counseling (also known as family adaptive behavior treatment guidance): An EIDBI service that covers specialized training, education and support for a person’s family/caregiver. For more information, refer to EIDBI – Family/caregiver training and counseling.
Fee schedule: For the most current rate information, refer to DHS – MHCP fee schedule. For reimbursement percentage rates, refer to the EIDBI billing grid.
Functional behavior assessment (FBA): An assessment used to better understand the purpose or reason for a person’s challenging behavior. This assessment:
DHS recommends a qualified EIDBI provider complete and document an FBA if they either:
For more information, refer to EIDBI – How to complete ITP and Progress Monitoring, DHS-7109.
G
Generalizable goals: Results or gains observed during a variety of activities over time with different people (e.g., providers, family members, other adults) and in different environments (e.g., clinics, homes, schools, community).
Group intervention session: A defined time period when a qualified EIDBI provider delivers intervention to at least two, but no more than eight, people who receive EIDBI services. For more information, refer to EIDBI – Intervention.
Guardian: Refer to legal representative.
H
Health and safety standards: Guidelines to help EIDBI provider agencies safely and effectively provide EIDBI services. For more information, refer to EIDBI – Health and safety standards.
Health service records: To receive payment for providing EIDBI services, the EIDBI provider agency and its staff must follow guidelines for health service records as a condition of Minnesota Health Care Programs (MHCP), including:
For more information, refer to EIDBI – Health service records.
Higher intensity intervention session: A defined time period when two or more qualified EIDBI providers deliver intervention to one person under the direction of an on-site (e.g., in person or via telehealth) and available qualified supervising professional (QSP) or level I provider. For more information, refer to EIDBI – Intervention.
Home: The primary residence of a person who receives EIDBI services. For more information, refer to EIDBI – Settings.
I
Incident: Any of the following situations:
Individual EIDBI provider: A person who works for or is affiliated with an EIDBI provider agency and meets the qualifications to be an enrolled EIDBI service provider. Individual EIDBI providers include the following:
Individual intervention session: A defined time period when a qualified EIDBI provider delivers intervention to one person. For more information, refer to EIDBI – Intervention.
Individual treatment plan (ITP) development and progress monitoring: An EIDBI service that covers the development of the person’s initial ITP and ongoing monitoring of their progress. The ITP is a person-centered care plan that:
For more information, refer to EIDBI – ITP development and progress monitoring.
Intervention (also known as adaptive behavior treatment): An EIDBI service that covers the medically necessary, intensive and individually designed direct treatment. The treatment specifically addresses the person’s core developmental skill needs identified in their comprehensive multi-disciplinary evaluation (CMDE) and goals/objectives specified in their individual treatment plan (ITP). For more information, refer to EIDBI – Intervention.
ITP and Progress Monitoring, DHS-7109: The person-centered, individualized plan of care for a person who meets medical necessity criteria for the EIDBI benefit. The ITP incorporates the person’s and family’s information from the comprehensive multi-disciplinary evaluation (CMDE). The qualified supervising professional (QSP) uses DHS-7109 to document the person’s initial plan of care and progress-monitoring updates. For more information, refer to EIDBI – How to complete ITP and Progress Monitoring, DHS-7109.
L
Legal representative: The parent of a child younger than age 18, a court-appointed guardian or other representative with legal authority to make decisions about services for a person.
Level I provider: Refer to EIDBI – Level I provider qualifications, roles and responsibilities.
Level II provider: Refer to EIDBI – Level II provider qualifications, roles and responsibilities.
Level III provider: Refer to EIDBI – Level III provider qualifications, roles and responsibilities.
M
Managed care organization (MCO): An organization certified by the Minnesota Department of Health to provide all defined health care benefits to people enrolled in a Minnesota Health Care Program (MHCP) in return for a capitated payment. MCOs also are referred to as health plans or prepaid health plans (PPHP).
Medical necessity criteria: A person has a medical need to begin EIDBI services if they have autism spectrum disorder (ASD) or a related condition and meet eligibility through a medical necessity determination. For more information, refer to EIDBI – Medical necessity criteria.
Medical necessity determination: A decision made by a qualified professional about whether a person with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) or a related condition has a medical need for and, therefore, is eligible to receive EIDBI services. For more information, refer to EIDBI – Medical necessity criteria.
Medical team conference: Refer to coordinated care conference.
Mental health professional: A person who meets criteria in Minn. Stat. §245.4871, subd. 27, 1-6.
Minnesota Health Care Programs (MHCP): Any of the following programs:
These programs might help pay for all or part of a person’s health care costs if they:
O
Observation and assessment: A component of protocol modification during which a qualified EIDBI provider observes service delivery with active evaluation of program component effectiveness for the person. The provider must:
Passive observation without active assessment or data-driven justification does not meet criteria for billing.
For more information, refer to EIDBI – Observation and direction.
Observation and direction (also known as adaptive behavior treatment with protocol modification): An EIDBI service provided by a qualified EIDBI provider that covers the clinical direction and oversight of intervention services and active protocol modification of the person’s individualized treatment programming based on real-time observations. For more information, refer to EIDBI – Observation and direction.
Office: A setting where a provider performs administrative tasks and/or a person receives diagnostic services. An office:
For more information, refer to EIDBI – Settings.
Other representative with legal authority to make decisions: A health care agent or an attorney-in-fact authorized through a health care directive or power of attorney.
P
Person: A person younger than age 21 (specific to references in this manual only).
Person-centered services: Services that:
Positive Supports Rule: A rule governing positive support strategies and restrictive interventions. The purpose of the rule is to improve the quality of life for people, including children. It requires service providers to use person-centered principles and positive support strategies for people to whom the rule applies.
Prepaid Medical Assistance Program (PMAP): A mandatory managed care program for Medicaid-eligible adults, families and children in Minnesota.
Progress monitoring: A required individual treatment plan (ITP) update the qualified supervising professional (QSP) must submit after each six months of treatment or more frequently as determined by the comprehensive multidisciplinary evaluation (CMDE) provider or QSP. The purpose of the ITP progress monitoring update is to determine if the person is making progress toward targeted functional and generalizable goals specified in the ITP. For more information, refer to EIDBI – ITP development and progress monitoring.
Progress notes: Refer to case notes.
Protocol modification: Ongoing clinical decision-making and adjustments made by a qualified EIDBI provider to ensure that treatment remains individualized, effective and responsive to the person’s progress or needs.
Provider agency: Refer to agency.
Q
Qualified EIDBI provider: A person who is an EIDBI agency employee and meets the qualifications to be a qualified supervising professional (QSP) or level I, level II or level III treatment provider. They are qualified to provide EIDBI services outlined in a person’s treatment plan.
Qualified supervising professional (QSP): Refer to EIDBI – QSP qualifications, roles and responsibilities.
R
Related condition: A condition that is closely related to autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and:
1. Is severe and chronic.
2. Results in differences in a person’s adaptive behavior and function, like that of a person with ASD.
3. Requires treatment or services, like those required for a person with ASD.
4. Results in challenges in the following symptom areas (like the symptoms of ASD):
5. May also include delays or need for a high level of support in one or more of the following related domains:
For more information, refer to the related conditions section of EIDBI – Eligibility for EIDBI services.
Relationship Development Intervention (RDI): A treatment modality that is a family-based, behavioral treatment that builds on the theory that “dynamic intelligence” is key to improving quality of life for people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and related conditions. Providers can apply this approach to people of all ages. Dynamic intelligence is the ability to think flexibly and includes:
For more information, refer to EIDBI – Treatment modalities – RDI.
Rights and responsibilities: All people who receive EIDBI services and their legal representatives have rights and responsibilities, as listed on EIDBI – Your Rights and Responsibilities, DHS-7645A (PDF). EIDBI provider agencies and their staff also have responsibilities to the people to who receive services, as listed on EIDBI – Provider Agency Responsibilities, DHS-7645B (PDF). For more information, refer to EIDBI – Rights and responsibilities.
S
Safety plan: A plan of action created before a crisis occurs, so the person and their support network know exactly what to do in an emergency. The qualified supervising professional (QSP) and other qualified EIDBI providers should develop the plan with all team members, including natural supports and other providers. For more information, refer to addendum F of EIDBI – How to complete ITP and Progress Monitoring, DHS-7109.
Service agreement: When the medical review agent approves the service authorization, they create a service agreement. The provider agency uses the service agreement ID for billing purposes. For more information, refer to service authorization.
Service decision tool, DHS-6751U: A tool parents and caregivers can use to decide when to prioritize school and when to prioritize EIDBI services and supports (or a combination of both). For more information, refer to EIDBI – Comparison of special education services and EIDBI and EIDBI service decision tool, DHS-6751U (PDF).
Session: A defined time period when a qualified EIDBI provider delivers an EIDBI service to a person. Each provider agency may further define a session, but all EIDBI intervention sessions must:
For more information, refer to EIDBI – Intervention.
Setting: The location in which a person receives EIDBI services. A person may receive EIDBI services in the following settings:
For more information, refer to EIDBI – Settings.
Supervisee: An individual EIDBI provider who receives documented clinical supervision while they deliver EIDBI services. They may be working toward licensure or certification. For more information, refer to EIDBI – Clinical supervision.
T
Tax Equity and Fiscal Responsibility Act (TEFRA): An option that allows Medical Assistance (MA) eligibility for children with disabilities in families with incomes too high to qualify for MA. For more information, refer to DHS – Medical Assistance under the TEFRA option for children with disabilities and Minnesota Autism Resource Portal – Health care coverage.
Telehealth: Delivery of health care services or consultations through real-time, two-way interactive audio and visual communications to provide or support health care delivery and facilitate assessment, diagnosis consultation, treatment, education and care management. For more information, refer to EIDBI – Telehealth services.
Telehealth for Early Intervention: A training for providers that covers:
For more information, refer to EIDBI – Individual provider trainings.
Termination of services: The EIDBI provider agency may terminate the person’s EIDBI services if they meet one of the medical necessity termination criteria. For more information, refer to EIDBI – Services.
Therapy: Refer to intervention.
Training: DHS requires EIDBI providers to complete certain trainings and recommends they take other trainings. For a complete list of training requirements, refer to EIDBI – Individual provider trainings.
Transferring agencies: Families have the right to transfer or change EIDBI provider agencies for any reason. For more information, refer to EIDBI – Services.
Transition plan and/or discharge summary: A plan documented in the person’s individual treatment plan (ITP) that must include:
Providers must follow EIDBI policy, as described throughout the EIDBI Benefit Policy Manual, and consult with the person’s caregiver/guardian about the person’s transition or discharge plan. For more information, refer to EIDBI – How to complete ITP and Progress Monitoring, DHS-7109.
Travel time: An EIDBI service that covers the time a qualified EIDBI provider is in transit to and from a location other than their typical place of service to provide in-person EIDBI services. For more information, refer to EIDBI – Travel time.
Treatment: Refer to intervention.
Treatment modalities: A person may receive treatment intervention according to one of the DHS-recognized treatment modalities. DHS recognizes the following treatment modalities:
For more information, refer to EIDBI – Treatment modalities.
W
Week-in-the-life schedule: An optional document to help providers and families identify potential service times and schedule conflicts. For more information, refer to ITP and Progress Monitoring Week-In-The-Life Schedule (Addendum C), DHS-7109C (PDF) and EIDBI – How to complete ITP and Progress Monitoring, DHS-7109.
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