Document Type
Article
Journal/Book Title/Conference
Behavioral Sciences
Author ORCID Identifier
Sophia R. D'Agostino https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5268-3673
Trenton J. Landon https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5064-4128
Volume
15
Issue
3
Publisher
MDPI AG
Publication Date
3-13-2025
Journal Article Version
Version of Record
First Page
1
Last Page
21
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Abstract
It is imperative that researchers include the perspectives from key voices regarding early support practices, yet very few studies have included direct assessment of autistic individuals and parents of young autistic children. Despite emerging evidence of effectiveness of naturalistic developmental behavioral intervention (NDBI) strategies, it is currently unknown whether autistic adults and parents of autistic individuals know about NDBI and if they view NDBI strategies as socially valid practice. We aimed to explore the perceptions of autistic adults and parents of young autistic children regarding the social validity of NDBI strategies implemented in community preschool classrooms and their dissemination potential. We conducted a convergent mixed methods research design to collect quantitative survey data and qualitative semi-structured interview data. We received survey responses from 33 autistic adults and 37 parents of young autistic children and interviewed 12 autistic adults and 12 parents of young autistic children. We conducted a series of paired samples and independent samples t-tests to compare perceptions between groups and thematic analysis to analyze qualitative data. Results indicated high levels of social validity for NDBI across both groups of participants and the need for dissemination of NDBI. Agreement between autistic adults and parents of young autistic children on the social validity of NDBI and recommendations for dissemination are promising preliminary findings that NDBI researchers and practitioners may draw upon when engaging in collaborative support planning and participatory research efforts.
Recommended Citation
D'Agostino, S. R., Landon, T. J, Roylance, A., Briggs, A., & Bhana-Lopez, N. (2025). Exploring the Social Validity and Diffusion Potential of Common Naturalistic Developmental Behavioral Intervention Strategies Implemented in Community Preschools. Behavioral Sciences, 15(3), 357. https://doi.org/10.3390/bs15030357