Research: Teaching Reciprocal Imitation Skills to Young Children with Autism Using a Naturalistic Behavioral Approach: Effects on Language, Pretend Play, and Joint Attention

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Authored by Ingersoll, B., and Schreibman L. in Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, Volume 36, Issue 4, p. 487-505, (2006).

Article summary (posted Nov 19, 2006):

Naturalistic behavior intervention can teach children with autism to imitate the behavior of people around them.

Reciprocal imitation training (RIT) is a naturalistic behavioral intervention that involves spontaneously interacting with the child and teaching the child through natural reinforcements. While the study included only five children, all five children did show an improved ability to imitate action with an object after 10 weeks of RIT. In addition, all children were able to generalize this imitation without reinforcement. The authors also found improvements in the childrenâ??s language ability. The authors concluded by suggesting that RIT can easily be included in any early intervention program.

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attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism, early intervention (EI), generalization, imitation, intervention, joint attention, reinforcement
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