Implementation evaluation of early intensive behavioral intervention programs for children with autism spectrum disorders: A systematic review of studies in the last decade

Abstract

For young children with autism spectrum disorders, one of the choice interventions is Early Intensive Behavioral Intervention. Over the past ten years, its effectiveness has been abundantly evaluated based on various parameters, including the intensity and duration of the intervention. Despite major advances in effectiveness evaluation, data concerning the implementation of the intervention are often described briefly, and the active ingredients of the intervention are but rarely linked to the documented effects.

Objectives: This study aims at reviewing with a systematic method, the studies pertaining to EIBI provided to children with autism spectrum disorders over the past ten years (2005-2015) and at documenting the program implementation components described in the studies, based on Dane and Schneider's (1998) model in accordance with PRISMA guidelines.

Results: The results show that, although the variables related to intervention dosage and protocol are relatively well described, the authors do not always consider them in the effects analysis. Furthermore, the majority of the studies did not report information on intervention participation, differentiation or quality.

Conclusions: Data concerning the implementation of the intervention are partially described in the articles retained. In this regard, a better description of the intervention provided and a more systematic evaluation of its implementation seem necessary to detect the subtle differences in the effects of the intervention.

Keywords: Autism; Early intensive behavioral intervention; Implementation science; Preschool child.