Examining US Public Early Intervention for Toddlers With Autism
Characterizing Services and Readiness for Evidence-Based Practice Implementation
Bibliographic Data
As the rates of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) increase and early screening efforts intensify, more toddlers with high likelihood of ASD are entering the United States' (US') publicly funded early intervention system. Early intervention service delivery for toddlers with ASD varies greatly based on state resources and regulations. Research recommends beginning ASD-specific evidence-based practices (EBP), especially caregiver-implemented intervention, as early as possible to facilitate the development of social-communication skills and general learning. Translating EBP into practice has been challenging, especially in low-resourced areas. The main goal of this study was to obtain a more comprehensive understanding of public early intervention system structure, service delivery practices, and factors influencing EBP use for children with ASD in the US. Participants ( N = 133) included 8 early intervention state coordinators in 7 states, 29 agency administrators in those states, 57 early intervention providers from those agencies, and 39 caregivers of children with ASD receiving services from those providers. Online surveys gathered stakeholder and caregiver perspectives on early intervention services as well as organizational factors related to EBP implementation climate and culture. Stakeholders identified key intervention needs for young children with ASD. In general, both agency administrators and direct providers reported feeling somewhat effective or very effective in addressing most needs of children with ASD. They reported the most difficulty addressing eating, sleeping, family stress, and stereotyped behaviors. Data indicate that children from families with higher income received significantly higher service intensity. While administrators and providers reported high rates of high-quality caregiver coaching (>60%), caregivers reported low rates (23%). Direct providers with more favorable attitudes toward EBP had greater EBP use. In turn, provider attitudes toward EBP were significantly associated with implementation leadership and culture at their agency. Results suggest that publicly funded early intervention programs in the US require additional resources and training for providers and leaders to support improved implementation climate and attitudes toward ASD EBPs. Results also suggest that more state system support is needed to increase use of ASD-specific EBP use, including high-quality caregiver coaching, to better serve toddlers with ASD. Recommendations for implementation strategies are addressed
Alternative medicine · Autism · Autism spectrum disorder · Developmental psychology · Evidence-based practice · Intervention (counseling · Medical education · Psychiatry · Applied Psychology · Autism Spectrum Disorder Research · Child and Adolescent Psychosocial and Emotional Development · Clinical Psychology · Family and Disability Support Research · Medicine · Psychology
Relationships of Knowledge and Practice
Prevalence of Autism Spectrum Disorder Among Children Aged 8 Years — Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring Network, 11 Sites, United States, 2016
Evidence-Based Practices for Children, Youth, and Young Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder
Mental Health Provider Attitudes Toward Adoption of Evidence-Based Practice
Assessing organizational readiness for change
Strategies for Academic and Clinician Engagement in Community-Participatory Partnered Research
The cross‐level effects of culture and climate in human service teams
Implementation evaluation of an early intensive behavioral intervention program across three agencies serving young children with Autism
Using Community Partnerships to Better Understand the Barriers to Using an Evidence-Based, Parent-Mediated Intervention for Autism Spectrum Disorder in a Medicaid System
Project AIM
| Unique citing works | 1 |
|---|---|
| Citations per year | 0,5 |
| Citation span | 2024 - 2024 (1) |
| Citation velocity | recent |
| Highly cited | No |
| Citation types | Neutral: 1 |