Comparing Imitation Responding and IBT for children with ASD, a preschool intervention

The aim of the study is to investigate the effectiveness of two types of measures: Imitation Responding (IR) and Intensive Behaviour Treatment (IBT). These measures are used as the first treatment programme for autistic children who start in regular kindergartens. The study evaluates the effectiveness of the IR measure compared to the IBT measure. The purpose was to investigate whether offering children IR measures or IBT measures had an effect on socioadaptive development among the children, and whether one of the measures was more effective than the other.

The study found no difference in the effectiveness of the two treatments during the five months of investigations. Comparisons within the group showed change on four subscales for the IR group, with the highest effect sizes for play and expressive language. For the children in the IBT group, there was a significant gain on five subscales, with the highest effect sizes for expressive and receptive language.

The data has been collected through observation, interviews and clinical tests. The study included children from Gothenburg, Sweden, in the period between March 2011 and December 2012, who met the following inclusion criteria: (1) has a chronological age of 24-48 months, and (2) a newly confirmed diagnosis of ASD (autism spectrum disorder). 40 children participated in the study. Participants were allowed to choose the type of treatment they wanted. 21 chose Imitation Responding (IR), 19 chose Intensive Behaviour Treatment (IBT).

Janson, B. S., Heimann, M. & Tjus, T. (2019). “Comparing Imitation Responding and IBT for children with ASD, a preschool intervention”. Journal of Research in Special Educational Needs WILEY, 20(2):97-108.