Training Teachers to Implement Classroom Pivotal Response Teaching during Small-group Instruction: A Pilot Study

Abstract

ABSTRACT Background: Providing effective education to students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) poses a significant challenge to educators. Although several evidence-based practices (EBPs) have been developed, few have been systematically implemented in educational settings. Pivotal response treatment (PRT) is a naturalistic behavioral intervention that has been adapted for implementation in the school context. Methods: This pilot study used a concurrent multiple baseline design across seven teachers and students with ASD to examine the effectiveness of teacher training in classroom pivotal response teaching (CPRT) on teacher fidelity of implementation during small-group instruction and students’ communication skills and maladaptive behaviors in schools for special education in the Netherlands. Results: Results indicated no replicated effect of CPRT training on teachers’ fidelity of implementation or children’s communications skills and maladaptive behavior, although teachers reported high satisfaction with the CPRT training. Discussion: Implications for clinical practice and directions for future research are discussed.