Examining provider decisions around the delivery and adaptation of a parent-mediated intervention within an Early Intervention system.

Abstract

Parent-mediated interventions are an evidence-based practice for autism in which providers support caregivers in learning and applying strategies that support their child's development. Research has begun to study whether parent-mediated interventions can be effectively delivered in Part C Early Intervention systems. This research has been promising; however, it has been difficult to determine how Early Intervention providers deliver and adapt parent-mediated interventions to meet the needs of the families they serve. Examining how parent-mediated interventions are delivered and adapted may help us understand whether parent-mediated interventions are a good fit in these systems. The current study examined the delivery of an evidence-based parent-mediated intervention, Project ImPACT, when delivered by providers within an Early Intervention system. Results from 24 Early Intervention providers demonstrated that, on average, providers delivered Project ImPACT with higher quality during their time in training and consultation. However, there was also variability in how providers delivered Project ImPACT, with some delivering the program inconsistently, some increasing their quality throughout consultation, and others having consistently high-quality delivery. In addition, qualitative data demonstrated that a variety of events arose within Project ImPACT sessions that drove providers to adapt the program. Results suggest the importance of carefully examining how and why providers deliver evidence-based interventions within Early Intervention systems.