Abstract
Early intervention is widely recommended for young children with autism spectrum disorder, but the effectiveness of interventions when implemented in inclusive preschool settings needs to be considered. To this end, we identified 16 studies that provided early intervention to children with autism spectrum disorder who were attending inclusive preschools. Effectiveness studies, that is, studies evaluating interventions that were implemented under real-world conditions, were targeted, provided they met the pre-determined inclusion criteria. Included studies were summarized in terms of (a) participant characteristics, (b) intervention procedures, (c) procedures for training teachers, (d) study design, (e) outcomes, (f) study quality, and (g) social validity. A range of intervention procedures were implemented, and positive outcomes for children and/or teachers were reported in most studies. However, methodological limitations were identified for most of the included studies, indicating the need for additional higher-quality research. Still, the present review suggests that teachers may be able to effectively deliver early intervention to young children with autism spectrum disorder in inclusive preschool settings.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
(*)Study included in the review
Achenbach, T. M. (1991). Child behavior checklist. San Antonio, TX: Psychological Cooperation.
American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). Arlington, VA: American Psychiatric Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.books.9780890425596.
Bagnato, S. J., Neisworth, J. T., Salvia, J. J., & Hunt, F. M. (1999). Temperament and atypical behavior scale (TABS). Early childhood indicators of developmental dysfunction. Baltimore: Paul H. Brookes Publishing Co.
Baio, J., Wiggins, L., Christensen, D. L., Maenner, M. J., Daniels, J., Warren, Z., ... & Durkin, M. S. (2018). Prevalence of autism spectrum disorder among children aged 8 years—Autism and developmental disabilities monitoring network, 11 sites, United States, 2014. MMWR Surveillance Summaries, 67(6), 1.
Bayley, N. (2006). Bayley scales of infant and toddler development. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson.
*Boulware, G. L., Schwartz, I. S., Sandall, S. R., & McBride, B. J. (2006). Project DATA for toddlers: An inclusive approach to very young children with autism spectrum disorder. Topics in Early Childhood Special Education, 26, 94–105. doi:https://doi.org/10.1177/02711214060260020401
Breitenstein, S. M., Gross, D., Garvey, C. A., Hill, C., Fogg, L., & Resnick, B. (2010). Implementation fidelity in community-based interventions. Research in Nursing & Health, 33(2), 164–173. https://doi.org/10.1002/nur.20373.
Bricker, D. (1994). Assessment, evaluation, and programming system (AEPS) for infants and children (Vol. 1): AEPS measurement for birth to three years. Baltimore: Paul H. Brookes Publishing Co.
Broderick, A. (2017). Article 7 [children with disabilities]. In V. Della Fina, R. Cera, & G. Palmisano (Eds.), The United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (pp. 195–212). Cham: Springer.
Brownell, R. (2000a). Expressive one-word picture vocabulary test. Novato, CA: Academic Therapy Publications.
Brownell, R. (2000b). Receptive one-word picture vocabulary test. Novato, CA: Academic Therapy Publications.
Chang, Y. C., Shire, S. Y., Shih, W., Gelfand, C., & Kasari, C. (2016). Preschool deployment of evidence-based social communication intervention: JASPER in the classroom. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 46, 2211–2223. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-016-2752-2.
Cook, B. G., Tankersley, M., & Landrum, T. J. (2009). Determining evidence-based practices in special education. Exceptional Children, 75, 365–383. https://doi.org/10.1177/001440290907500306.
Dawson, G. (2008). Early behavioral intervention, brain plasticity, and the prevention of autism spectrum disorder. Development and Psychopathology, 20, 775–803. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0954579408000370.
Debodinance, E., Maljaars, J., Noens, I., & Van den Noortgate, W. (2017). Interventions for toddlers with autism spectrum disorder: A meta-analysis of single-subject experimental studies. Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, 36, 79–92. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rasd.2017.01.010.
*D’Elia, L., Valeri, G., Sonnino, F., Fontana, I., Mammone, A., & Vicari, S. (2014). A longitudinal study of the TEACCH program in different settings: The potential benefits of low intensity intervention in preschool children with autism spectrum disorder. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 44(3), 615–626. doi:https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-013-1911-y
Dingfelder, H. E., & Mandell, D. S. (2011). Bridging the research-to-practice gap in autism intervention: An application of diffusion of innovation theory. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 41, 597–609. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-010-1081-0.
Drahota, A., Aarons, G. A., & Stahmer, A. C. (2012). Developing the autism model of implementation for autism spectrum disorder community providers: Study protocol. Implementation Science, 7, 85. https://doi.org/10.1186/1748-5908-7-85.
*Eikeseth, S., Klintwall, L., Jahr, E., & Karlsson, P. (2012). Outcome for children with autism receiving early and intensive behavioral intervention in mainstream preschool and kindergarten settings. Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, 6, 829–835. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rasd.2011.09.002
*Eldevik, S., Hastings, R. P., Jahr, E., & Hughes, J. C. (2012). Outcomes of behavioral intervention for children with autism in mainstream pre-school settings. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 42, 210–220. doi:https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-011-1234-9.
Estes, A., Munson, J., Rogers, S. J., Greenson, J., Winter, J., & Dawson, G. (2015). Long-term outcomes of early intervention in 6-year-old children with autism spectrum disorder. Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 54, 580–587. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaac.2015.04.005.
Fenson, L., Dale, P. S., Reznick, J. S., Bates, E., Thal, D. J., & Pethick, S. J. (1994). Variability in early communicative development. Monographs of the Society for Research in Child Development, 59, 1–173. https://doi.org/10.2307/1166093.
Fenson, L., Dale, P. S., Reznick, J. S., Thal, D., Bates, E., Hartung, J. P., Pethick, S., & Reilly, J. S. (1993). The MacArthur communicative development inventories: User’s guide and technical manual. San Diego, CA: Singular Publishing Group.
*Fleury, V. P., & Schwartz, I. S. (2017). A modified dialogic reading intervention for preschool children with autism spectrum disorder. Topics in Early Childhood Special Education, 37, 16–28. doi:https://doi.org/10.1177/0271121416637597
*Garfinkle, A. N., & Schwartz, I. S. (2002). Peer imitation: Increasing social interactions in children with autism and other developmental disabilities in inclusive preschool classrooms. Topics in Early Childhood Special Education, 22, 26–38. doi:https://doi.org/10.1177/027112140202200103
*Gibson, J. L., Pennington, R. C., Stenhoff, D. M., & Hopper, J. S. (2010). Using desktop videoconferencing to deliver interventions to a preschool student with autism. Topics in Early Childhood Special Education, 29, 214–225. doi:https://doi.org/10.1177/0271121409352873
Goldstein, H., Lackey, K. C., & Schneider, N. J. (2014). A new framework for systematic reviews: Application to social skills interventions for preschoolers with autism. Exceptional Children, 80, 262–286. https://doi.org/10.1177/0014402914522423.
Gresham, F. M., & Elliott, S. N. (1990). Social skills rating system (SSRS). Circle Pines, MN: American Guidance Service.
*Harjusola-Webb, S. M., & Robbins, S. H. (2012). The effects of teacher-implemented naturalistic intervention on the communication of preschoolers with autism. Topics in Early Childhood Special Education, 32, 99–110. doi:https://doi.org/10.1177/0271121410397060
Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee (IACC), (2013). IACC Strategic Plan for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Research—2013 Update. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee. Retrieved from http://iacc.hhs.gov/strategic-plan/2013/index.shtml
Keenan, M., & Dillenburger, K. (2011). When all you have is a hammer: RCTs and hegemony in science. Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, 5, 1–13. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rasd.2010.02.003.
*Kern, P., & Aldridge, D. (2006). Using embedded music therapy interventions to support outdoor play of young children with autism in an inclusive community-based child care program. Journal of Music Therapy, 43, 270–294. doi:https://doi.org/10.1093/jmt/43.4.270
*Kern, P., Wolery, M., & Aldridge, D. (2007). Use of songs to promote independence in morning greeting routines for young children with autism. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 37, 1264–1271. doi:https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-006-0272-1
Koegel, L. K., Koegel, R. L., Frea, W. D., & Fredeen, R. M. (2001). Identifying early intervention targets for children with autism in inclusive school settings. Behavior Modification, 25, 745–761. https://doi.org/10.1177/0145445501255005.
Koegel, R., & Rincover, A. (1977). Research on the difference between generalization and maintenance in extra-therapy responding. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 10, 1–12. https://doi.org/10.1901/jaba.1977.10-1.
Kramer, M. R., Schneider, E. B., Kane, J. B., Margerison-Zilko, C., Jones-Smith, J., King, K., et al. (2017). Getting under the skin: Children’s health disparities as embodiment of social class. Population Research and Policy Review, 36, 671–697. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11113-017-9431-7.
Kratochwill, T. R., & Stoiber, K. C. (2002). Evidence based interventions in school psychology: Conceptual foundations of the procedural and coding manual of division 16 and the society for the study of school psychology task force. School Psychology Quarterly, 17, 341–389. https://doi.org/10.1521/scpq.17.4.341.20872.
Krug, D. A., Arick, J. R., & Almond, P. (2008). Autism screening instrument for educational planning. Austin, TX: Pro-ed.
Lawton, K., & Kasari, C. (2012). Teacher-implemented joint attention intervention: Pilot randomized controlled study for preschoolers with autism. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 80, 687. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0028506.
Lord, C., Rutter, M., Pamela, C., Dilavore, & Risi, S. (2008). ADOS: Autism diagnostic observation schedule – ADOS manual. Los Angeles: Western Psychological Services.
Lord, C., Wagner, A., Rogers, S., Szatmari, P., Aman, M., Charman, T., ... & Harris, S. (2005). Challenges in evaluating psychosocial interventions for autistic spectrum disorders. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 35, 695–708. doi:https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-005-0017-6
*McBride, B. J., & Schwartz, I. S. (2003). Effects of teaching early interventionists to use discrete trials during ongoing classroom activities. Topics in Early Childhood Special Education, 23, 5–17. doi:https://doi.org/10.1177/027112140302300102
Mitchell, L. C., & Hegde, A. V. (2007). Beliefs and practices of in-service preschool teachers in inclusive settings: Implications for personnel preparation. Journal of Early Childhood Teacher Education, 28, 353–366. https://doi.org/10.1080/10901020701686617.
Mullen, E. (1995). Mullen scales of early learning. Circle pines, MN: American Guidance Service.
Odom, S. L., Boyd, B. A., Hall, L. J., & Hume, K. (2010). Evaluation of comprehensive treatment models for individuals with autism spectrum disorders. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 40, 425–436. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-009-0825-1.
*Olive, M. L., de la Cruz, B., Davis, T. N., Chan, J. M., Lang, R. B., O’Reilly, M. F., & Dickson, S. M. (2007). The effects of enhanced milieu teaching and a voice output communication aid on the requesting of three children with autism. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 37, 1505–1513. doi:https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-006-0243-6
Ospina, M. B., Seida, J. K., Clark, B., Karkhaneh, M., Hartling, L., Tjosvold, L., ... & Smith, V. (2008). Behavioural and developmental interventions for autism spectrum disorder: A clinical systematic review. PLoS One, 3(11), e3755. doi:https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0003755
Proctor, E. K., Landsverk, J., Aarons, G., Chambers, D., Glisson, C., & Mittman, B. (2009). Implementation research in mental health services: An emerging science with conceptual, methodological, and training challenges. Administration and Policy in Mental Health and Mental Health Services Research, 36, 24–34. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10488-008-0197-4.
Reichow, B. (2012). Overview of meta-analyses on early intensive behavioral intervention for young children with autism spectrum disorders. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 42, 512–520. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-011-1218-9.
Schopler, E., Lansing, M. D., Reichler, R. J., & Marcus, L. M. (2005). Examiner’s manual of psychoeducational profile (3rd ed.). Austin, TX: Pro-ed Incorporation.
Schopler, E., Reichler, R. J., & Renner, B. R. (2002). The childhood autism rating scale (CARS). Los Angeles, CA: Western Psychological Services.
*Schwartz, I. S., Sandall, S. R., McBride, B. J., & Boulware, G. L. (2004). Project DATA (developmentally appropriate treatment for autism) an inclusive school-based approach to educating young children with autism. Topics in Early Childhood Special Education, 24, 156–168. doi:https://doi.org/10.1177/02711214040240030301
Simpson, R. L. (2004). Finding effective intervention and personnel preparation practices for students with autism spectrum disorders. Exceptional Children, 70, 135–144. https://doi.org/10.1177/001440290407000201.
Singal, A. G., Higgins, P. D. R., & Waljee, A. K. (2014). A primer on effectiveness and efficacy trials. Clinical and Translational Gastroenterology, 5, e45. https://doi.org/10.1038/ctg.2013.13.
Snyder, P. A., Rakap, S., Hemmeter, M. L., McLaughlin, T. W., Sandall, S., & McLean, M. E. (2015). Naturalistic instructional approaches in early learning: A systematic review. Journal of Early Intervention, 37(1), 69–97. https://doi.org/10.1177/1053815115595461.
Sparrow, S. S., Balla, D. A., & Cicchetti, D. V. (1984). Vineland adaptive behavior scales. Circle Pines, MN: American Guidance Service.
Stahmer, A. C., Aranbarri, A., Drahota, A., & Rieth, S. (2017). Toward a more collaborative research culture: Extending translational science from research to community and back again. Autism, 21, 259–261. https://doi.org/10.1177/1362361317692950.
*Strain, P. S., & Bovey, E. H. (2011). Randomized, controlled trial of the LEAP model of early intervention for young children with autism spectrum disorders. Topics in Early Childhood Special Education, 31, 133–154. doi:https://doi.org/10.1177/0271121411408740
Thomas, K. C., Ellis, A. R., McLaurin, C., Daniels, J., & Morrissey, J. P. (2007). Access to care for autism-related services. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 37, 1902–1912. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-006-0323-7.
Thorndike, R. L., Hagen, E. P., & Sattler, J. M. (1986). Stanford-Binet Intelligence Scale. Rolling Meadows, IL: Riverside Publishing.
United Nations (2006). Convention on the rights of persons with disabilities. Retrieved from: http://www.un.org/disabilities/documents/convention/convoptprot-e.pdf
*Van DerHeyden, A. M., Snyder, P., DiCarlo, C. F., Stricklin, S. B., & Vagianos, L. A. (2002). Comparison of within-stimulus and extra-stimulus prompts to increase targeted play behaviors in an inclusive early intervention program. The Behavior Analyst Today, 3, 188. doi:https://doi.org/10.1037/h0099967
Vivanti, G., Duncan, E., Dawson, G., & Rogers, S. J. (2017). Implementing the group-based Early Start Denver Model for preschoolers with autism. Cham, Switzerland: Springer International Publishing.
Ward-Horner, J., & Sturmey, P. (2010). Component analysis using single-subject experimental designs: A review. Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, 43, 685–704. https://doi.org/10.1901/jaba.2010.43-685.
Wetherby, A. M., & Prizant, B. M. (2002). Communication and symbolic behavior scales: Developmental profile (1st normed ed.). Baltimore: Paul H. Brookes Publishing Co.
Wheeler, J. J., Baggett, B. A., Fox, J., & Blevins, L. (2006). Treatment integrity: A review of intervention studies conducted with children with autism. Focus on Autism and Other Developmental Disabilities, 21, 45–54. https://doi.org/10.1177/10883576060210010601.
Woods, J. J., & Wetherby, A. M. (2003). Early identification of and intervention for infants and toddlers who are at risk for autism spectrum disorder. Language, Speech, and Hearing Services in Schools, 34, 180–193. https://doi.org/10.1044/0161-1461(2003/015.
*Young, H. E., Falco, R. A., & Hanita, M. (2016). Randomized, controlled trial of a comprehensive program for young students with autism spectrum disorder. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 46, 544–560. doi:https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-015-2597-0
Zimmerman, I. L., Steiner, V. G., & Pond, R. E. (1991). Pre-school language scale – 3. San Antonio, TX: The Psychological Corporation.
Funding
The preparation of this manuscript was supported in part by a PhD scholarship awarded to Jessica Tupou from Victoria University of Wellington.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Ethics declarations
Conflict of Interest
The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest.
Additional information
Publisher’s Note
Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Tupou, J., van der Meer, L., Waddington, H. et al. Preschool Interventions for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: a Review of Effectiveness Studies. Rev J Autism Dev Disord 6, 381–402 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40489-019-00170-1
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40489-019-00170-1