Caregiver-Implemented Lower-Intensity EMT en Español Para Autismo: A Single Case Design Study

Autism is a prevalent neurodevelopmental disability among children in the United States. Enhanced Milieu Teaching (EMT) en Español Para Autismo is a caregiver-implemented language-focused naturalistic developmental behavioral intervention specifically for young children on the autism spectrum whose families are Latino and Spanish-speaking. The current study tested a reduced intensity adaptation of EMT en Español Para Autismo using a single-case experimental design study with four caregiver-child dyads. All children demonstrated characteristics of autism and lived in low-income Spanish-speaking households. Caregivers were taught to use EMT en Español Para Autismo strategies during play with their child using a cyclical teach-model-coach-review approach. Home visits occurred once each week. Three out of four dyads completed the study. None of the caregivers demonstrated functional relations between the cyclical teach-model-coach-review approach and their use of strategies; however, caregivers did increase their use of contingent language models and time delays when intervention began. Caregiver impressions of the intervention were positive, but they varied in their perceptions of some of the strategies (e.g., limiting instructions), consistent with participants in prior studies. Overall, the reduced intensity of the intervention and long gaps between visits may have limited the effectiveness of this intervention compared to findings in prior studies. More research is needed to tailor language interventions for Latino Spanish-speaking families with autistic children, especially those with limited resources.