Feasibility of Remote Coaching With Early Interventionists: NDBI Strategies in Part C

Abstract

Early intervention supports infants and toddlers with confirmed or suspected autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in achieving optimal outcomes, and caregiver-implemented NDBIs are recommended as a developmentally appropriate intervention approach for very young children and their families. Research highlights discrepancies between early interventionists’ perceptions of their practices and their observed practices, possibly contributing to implementation gaps. Remote coaching is a viable method of supporting early childhood professionals’ use of recommended practices, yet limited research has examined remote coaching with early interventionists in community systems (e.g., Part C). The current feasibility study explored differences between early interventionists’ reported and observed practices and compared bug-in-ear versus video review coaching methods with early interventionists working with families of toddlers with confirmed or suspected ASD. Results demonstrated (a) early interventionists reported higher quality practices than observed, and (b) remote coaching is a community-viable professional development approach in supporting early interventionists’ use of recommended practices.