The effects of service setting on early intensive behavioural intervention program delivery
Loading...
Date
2021
Authors
Pedreira, Karli
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
Early intensive behavioural intervention (EIBI) is consistently acknowledged as an
effective treatment for children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). More recently,
these services are being delivered in a wider variety of service settings (e.g., classrooms, child
care centres and preschools). Variations in service settings allow for more cost-effective
treatment programs and may also widen the accessibility of services. However, it is unclear
whether treatment can be delivered with high consistency and accuracy in settings where
variations in program characteristics are expected (e.g., presence of peers, level of control, and
staff training). The current study addressed the gap in the literature though comparing three
aspects of EIBI that may be most affected by program variations as a function of setting: (a)
perceptions of direct service providers regarding treatment quality, (b) the accuracy of discretetrials
teaching (DTT), and (c) service intensity and comprehensiveness. The current study has
demonstrated that the delivery of EIBI varied as a function of service setting. Specifically, a
difference in the treatment integrity of DTT, program comprehensiveness, and quality of team
communication was observed. For each of these variables, results favored the delivery of
services in ABA classrooms in comparison to integrated child care centres.
Description
Keywords
treatment integrity, Treatment quality, ASD, Service Setting, EIBI