Identifying and measuring the common elements of naturalistic developmental behavioral interventions for autism spectrum disorder: Development of the NDBI-Fi

Abstract

Naturalistic developmental behavioral interventions for young children with autism spectrum disorder share key elements. However, the extent of similarity and overlap in techniques among naturalistic developmental behavioral intervention models has not been quantified, and there is no standardized measure for assessing the implementation of their common elements. This article presents a multi-stage process which began with the development of a taxonomy of elements of naturalistic developmental behavioral interventions. Next, intervention experts identified the common elements of naturalistic developmental behavioral interventions using quantitative methods. An observational rating scheme of those common elements, the eight-item NDBI-Fi, was developed. Finally, preliminary analyses of the reliability and the validity of the NDBI-Fi were conducted using archival data from randomized controlled trials of caregiver-implemented naturalistic developmental behavioral interventions, including 87 post-intervention caregiver–child interaction videos from five sites, as well as 29 pre–post video pairs from two sites. Evaluation of the eight-item NDBI-Fi measure revealed promising psychometric properties, including evidence supporting adequate reliability, sensitivity to change, as well as concurrent, convergent, and discriminant validity. Results lend support to the utility of the NDBI-Fi as a measure of caregiver implementation of common elements across naturalistic developmental behavioral intervention models. With additional validation, this unique measure has the potential to advance intervention science in autism spectrum disorder by providing a tool which cuts across a class of evidence-based interventions.

Document Details

Document Type
Pub Defense Publication
Publication Date
Jul 30, 2020
Source ID
10.1177/1362361320944011

Entities

People

  • Antonio Hardan
  • Aubyn C Stahmer
  • Brooke Ingersoll
  • Grace W Gengoux
  • Jessica Brian
  • Kyle M Frost
  • Sarah R Rieth

Organizations

  • Autism Speaks
  • Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs
  • Maternal and Child Health Bureau
  • Michigan State University
  • National Institute of Mental Health
  • National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders
  • San Diego State University
  • Stanford University
  • Stollery Children’s Hospital Foundation
  • United States Department of Education
  • University of California, Davis

Tags

Fields of Study

  • Psychology

Readers

  • Child and Adolescent Substance Abuse Science in Autism Spectrum Disorders.
  • Instructional Design and Training Evaluation.
  • Psychological Intervention/Treatment for Stress, Anxiety, PTSD, and Related Emotional and Cognitive Health Symptoms.