Toward deeper understanding and wide-scale implementation of naturalistic developmental behavioral interventions

• Published in: Autism : the international journal of research and practice Vol. 27; no. 1; pp. 253 - 258
• Main Authors: D’Agostino, Sophia R, Dueñas, Ana D, Bravo, Alice, Tyson, Kelsie, Straiton, Diondra, Salvatore, Giovanna L, Pacia, Cressida, Pellecchia, Melanie
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London, England SAGE Publications 01-01-2023; SAGE PUBLICATIONS, INC
• Subjects: Applied Behavior Analysis; Autism; Autism Spectrum Disorder - therapy; Autism Spectrum Disorders; Autistic children; Autistic Disorder; Barriers; Behavior Modification; Behavior Therapy; Behavioral sciences; Child; Child Development; Community; Dissemination; Early Intervention; Early Intervention, Educational; Evidence Based Practice; Humans; Implementation; Intervention; Misconceptions; Program Implementation; naturalistic developmental behavioral interventions; early intervention; autism spectrum disorders
• ISSN: 1362-3613; 1461-7005
• DOI: 10.1177/13623613221121427

Naturalistic Developmental Behavioral Interventions (NDBIs) have a strong and growing evidence base. Yet, NDBIs are not implemented on a wide scale within early intervention programs for children on the autism spectrum. Potential reasons for the slow adoption of NDBIs likely stem from the differing theoretical orientations of behavioral and developmental sciences from which NDBI are derived, and a lack of training, knowledge, and support for implementing NDBIs within the behavior analytic community. In support of efforts to promote wide-scale implementation of NDBIs, we clarify their common features, discuss possible misconceptions, offer reasons why NDBIs should be widely implemented, and provide recommendations to the autism service community, intervention developers, and researchers to improve their dissemination and implementation.
Lay Abstract
Naturalistic Developmental Behavioral Interventions (NDBIs) are a group of early interventions that use a variety of strategies from applied behavioral and developmental sciences. Although Naturalistic Developmental Behavioral Interventions have been demonstrated effective, Naturalistic Developmental Behavioral Interventions are not implemented on a wide scale within early intervention programs for children on the autism spectrum. Potential reasons likely stem from differing theoretical orientations of developmental and behavioral sciences and practitioners’ lack training, knowledge, and support for implementing Naturalistic Developmental Behavioral Interventions. In support of efforts to promote wide-scale implementation of Naturalistic Developmental Behavioral Interventions, we (1) clarify their common features, (2) discuss possible misconceptions, and (3) offer reasons why Naturalistic Developmental Behavioral Interventions should be widely implemented. We also provide recommendations to the autism service community, intervention developers, and researchers.