Assessing the Effectiveness of a Low-Cost, Evidence Based, Naturalistic Developmental Behavioral Intervention (NDBI) in IDEA Part C Early Intervention Settings

Numerous research studies have indicated that participation in early, specialized intervention leads to significant improvements in social, language, cognitive, and behavioral functioning for young children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). However, very few ASD-specialized interventions have been adapted for use in community-based settings, where they may be more accessible. The purpose of this study is to assess the effectiveness of Reciprocal Imitation Training (RIT)--an evidence-based, ASD-specialized interventionfor use by community providers working in publicly funded (IDEA Part C) Early Intervention (EI) programs serving children from birth to 3 years. We are using a hybrid effectiveness-implementation design to examine both the implementation of RIT by EI providers as well as child and parent outcomes associated with its use. We will collect data from EI providers about the acceptability and feasibility of using RIT, as well as the extent to which it is used and sustained over time. To examine providers (n=48) implementation of RIT, an interrupted time-series design will be used, with the RIT training workshops representing the interruption. To examine the effectiveness of RIT for children and parents, we will employ a separate samples pre-test and post-test design that will compare Pre-RIT (n=48) and Post-RIT (n=48) Cohorts. This project has the potential to enable more children with ASD to receive evidence-based, specialized intervention during the birth-to-three years, when it is likely to have the greatest impact.