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Enhancing Early Intervention For Caregivers of Autistic Children with Online Reciprocal Imitation Training Learning Modules.

In this study, we taught caregivers of four young autistic children to implement Reciprocal Imitation Training (RIT), a focused naturalistic developmental behavioral intervention (NDBI), using a hybrid approach in which we combined online modules with in vivo coaching. Early Intervention (Part C) se...

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Published in:Topics in Early Childhood Special Education Vol. 45; no. 4; pp. 291 - 305
Main Authors: Higgins, Johanna P., Kaczmarek, Louise A., King, Seth A.
Format: research tables/charts Journal Article
Published: Sage Publications Inc. Feb2026
Online Access:View this record in EBSCOhost
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      jtl: Topics in Early Childhood Special Education
      issn: 02711214
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      dt: Feb2026
      vid: 45
      iid: 4
      pid: 344
      pub: Sage Publications Inc.
      place: Thousand Oaks, California
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        191101946
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        10.1177/02711214241292030
        191101946
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        atl: Enhancing Early Intervention For Caregivers of Autistic Children with Online Reciprocal Imitation Training Learning Modules.
      aug:
        au:
          Higgins, Johanna P.
          Kaczmarek, Louise A.
          King, Seth A.
        affil: Department of Teaching, Learning and Leading, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
      sug:
        subj:
          Early Intervention
          Caregiver Education
          Caregivers
          Autism Spectrum Disorder In Infancy and Childhood
          Online Education
          Teaching Methods
          Imitative Behavior
          Social Skills Training
          Human
          Child, Preschool
          Adult
          Male
          Female
          Funding Source
          Mothers
          New England
          Scales
          Descriptive Statistics
          Checklists
          Child, Preschool: 2-5 years
          Adult: 19-44 years
          Male
          Female
      ab: In this study, we taught caregivers of four young autistic children to implement Reciprocal Imitation Training (RIT), a focused naturalistic developmental behavioral intervention (NDBI), using a hybrid approach in which we combined online modules with in vivo coaching. Early Intervention (Part C) services are often the first to support autistic children; therefore, providers must focus on training caregivers to deliver NDBIs such as RIT, within daily activities that are meaningful to the family in the home. We used a multiple-probe design to examine the effect of home visits enhanced by online modules completed before the coaches' arrival. Results indicated caregivers acquired intervention procedures effectively after approximately six coaching sessions. While most caregivers maintained acceptable fidelity levels, outcomes for children varied, with mixed results in spontaneous imitation. We discuss considerations for providers delivering NDBIs, including factors that impacted outcomes, barriers to intervention, and recommendations for Part C services.
      pubtype: Academic Journal
      doctype:
        research
        tables/charts
        Journal Article
      ougenre: Article
    language: English
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