Caring for individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) can be complicated, especially when challenging behaviors are present. Providers may feel unprepared to work with these individuals because specialized training for medical and social service providers is limited. To increase access to specialized training, we modified an effective…

Feasibility, acceptability and effectiveness data of a virtual adaptation of the WHO Caregiver Skills Training (CST; n = 25) were compared with those of a pilot RCT of CST delivered in person (n = 43) against treatment as usual (TAU; n = 43). Virtual CST was delivered with high levels of integrity, but received lower ratings in some caregiver- and…

In South Africa, many children with extensive support needs--including children who require AAC--are accommodated in care centers rather than the public schooling system. Caregivers employed at these centers need training in order to support children's communication using augmentative and alternative methods. A total of 29 center-based caregivers…

The current study used a multiple baseline across behaviors design to evaluate a rapid coaching intervention for teaching two caregivers to implement naturalistic language interventions (NLIs) with their child with autism. Coaches were preservice behavior analysts completing a personnel preparation program in applied behavior analysis who…

Purpose: This paper aims to introduce the Empatia video reflection method, designed to enhance care workers' awareness of empathic care. The method makes the quality of care visible, which is needed when digitalization efforts in elder care focus on the efficiency and adequacy of care work. Design/methodology/approach: The Empatia method leans on…

Caregiver coaching in early intervention (EI) can lead to positive outcomes for young children with delays and disabilities and their families. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, some EI providers reported coaching caregivers more frequently. However, EI providers' use of caregiver coaching is inconsistent, and there is a need for more…

The turnover among direct care workers in the United States has steadily increased since 2013. This study's direct care workers were behavioral technicians, counselors, behavioral aides, and community care workers. The program statement addressed in this applied research study was the relationship between the initial training and direct service…

Background: Staff working in municipal care homes with adults with intellectual disabilities impact their diet significantly. Aim: To explore how external factors influence staff's motivation and performance of nutritional work with these residents. Method: Semi-structured qualitative interviews with 11 staff using systematic text condensation for…

The presence of independent and functional living skills increases autonomy and predicts better outcomes for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Teaching caregivers to successfully teach functional living skills is an indirect way to positively impact the lives of adults with IDD. Behavior skills training (BST) is an…

Parents are the primary source of support for their children and can become principal interventionists for preventing and treating their child's challenging behavior. Yet, providing adequate and adapted training for culturally diverse families can be difficult due to the increase of international migration and the diversity of languages spoken…

Mounting empirical support for early intensive behavioral intervention (EIBI) has increased demand for early intervention services for children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), which may include a variety of components such as discrete-trial instruction (DTI) or natural environment teaching (NET). Many caregivers are now learning…

Autism and other developmental disabilities are common in low- and middle-income countries. The World Health Organization developed the caregiver skills training programme to address the needs of families having children with developmental disabilities globally. This study explored the acceptability and feasibility of the caregiver skills training…

Autobiographical memory (ABM) is memory for past personal experiences and is foundational to the development of many cognitive processes. As such, ABM and social learning are developmentally intertwined and functionally dependent, and impairments in each are well-documented in autism. Evidence suggests that elaborative reminiscing (ER) causally…

In places where in-person applied behavior analysis (ABA) services are not available to those in need, distance approaches may be needed. However, in the Czech Republic and surrounding countries, ABA and telehealth practices are just emerging. Therefore, minimal systems are guiding ABA-based telehealth for children with autism and their…

Researchers have used multicomponent behavioral skills training packages including written and verbal instructions, modeling, rehearsal, and feedback when teaching caregivers to implement pediatric feeding treatment protocols (e.g., Anderson & McMillan, 2001; Seiverling et al., 2012). Some investigators have shown that fewer behavioral skills…