Developmental Approaches Certification Board (DACB)
Developmental Approaches Certification Board (DACB)
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    • Home
    • About
    • Resources
    • Coverage by State
    • Coverage by Health Plan
    • Contact
    • FAQ
  • Home
  • About
  • Resources
  • Coverage by State
  • Coverage by Health Plan
  • Contact
  • FAQ

About the Developmental Approaches Certification Board

Our mission

To establish universal standards and qualifications for providers of developmental approaches 

so that autistic people and their families gain access to 

person-centered therapies and services.

Our vision for the future

Autistic people and their families will smoothly access person-affirming, respectful, relationship-based therapies from a national network of qualified, certified providers of developmental approaches. Clients receiving quality developmental services will grow in self-expression, self-awareness, self-efficacy, self-advocacy, initiative, creativity, empathy, intimacy, self-regulation, co-regulation, and shared joy. 

Our story

Legislators and funding sources asked us for an independent, national certification process for providers of Developmental, Relationship Based Interventions (DRBI's). Top experts in the field were gathered to create infrastructure including standards of care for the various forms of DRBI. See Resources on this site to request a free download of the DRBI Clinical Practice Guidelines and/or the DRBI Coverage Guidance. 

Contributors include Rick Solomon, M.D., Joshua Feder, M.D., Diane Cullinane, M.D., Andrea Davis, Ph.D., Carrie Alvarado, Ph.D., Mike Suiters, and a growing group of researchers, providers, and self-advocates. 

Defining DRBI

Developmental Relationship-Based Intervention (DRBI) is a type of support service or therapy that focuses on the power of the parent-child relationship to support development. DRBI encourages sensitive responses during playful interactions, following the child’s lead, and challenging the child to expand their ideas.  DRBI can involve parents, other caregivers, and paraprofessionals. The key is supporting natural, playful interactions without using directive teaching. DRBI can be done during play as well as during daily activities. Through DRBI, children advance in their ability to share attention with others, join in two-way interactions, problem-solve with others toward a shared goal, use their imagination, and increase their ability to think logically and creatively. DRBI is individualized for each child and family, and understanding each child’s unique profile of strengths and needs helps create an optimally supportive environment. Importantly, research has clearly demonstrated the effectiveness of DRBI.  


See: Cullinane, D. A., Binns, A. V., Feder, J. D., Graham, T., Mahoney, G. J., Naber, F. B. A., Robinson, R. G., Schertz, H. H., Solomon, R. M., Whitehouse, A. J. O., Wieder, S. (2024). Developmental relationship-based interventions for autistic children. Topics in Early Childhood Special Education. 

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