Caregiver-Implemented Digital Activity Schedules With Virtual Coaching.

Area of Science:

• Behavior Analysis
• Developmental Psychology
• Telehealth Interventions

Background:

• The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the adoption of telehealth for behavior analytic services.
• Activity schedules are effective for enhancing independence in children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).
• Digital formats offer improved portability and accessibility for activity schedules compared to paper-based versions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness of a caregiver-implemented digital activity schedule intervention.
• To assess the impact on independent play behaviors in children with ASD.
• To explore the utility of Google Slides® and bug-in-ear (BIE) coaching for remote service delivery.

Main Methods:

• A non-concurrent multiple baseline design was employed across three child-caregiver dyads.
• Digital activity schedules were created using Google Slides® and implemented by caregivers.
• Practitioner coaching was delivered remotely using bug-in-ear (BIE) technology.

Main Results:

• The digital activity schedule intervention significantly increased independent schedule following.
• Caregivers required minimal training to implement the intervention effectively.
• The telehealth approach, despite minor implementation challenges, proved successful.

Conclusions:

• Caregiver-implemented digital activity schedules are an effective telehealth intervention for improving independent play in children with ASD.
• Bug-in-ear (BIE) coaching facilitates remote implementation of behavior analytic interventions.
• This study provides guidance for Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs) on remote service delivery strategies.