Naturalistic Developmental Behavioral Interventions for Children with Autism

NDBI components include implementation in natural settings, shared control between the child and the teaching partner, utilization of natural contingencies, and use of behavioral strategies to teach developmentally appropriate skills.

“NDBI components include implementation in natural settings, shared control between the child and the teaching partner, utilization of natural contingencies, and use of behavioral strategies to teach developmentally appropriate skills (Schreibman et al., 2015; Vivanti & Zhong, 2020).”

Child preferences and sustained motivation are core considerations in NDBIs, highlighted through dynamic selection of materials and activities used in an NDBI session.

“Child preferences and sustained motivation are core considerations, highlighted through their dynamic selection of the materials and activities used in an NDBI session (Minjarez & Bruinsma, 2020; Vivanti & Zhong, 2020).”

NDBIs should be conducted in natural play and learning contexts within the child's everyday environment.

“In contrast, NDBIs should be conducted in natural play and learning contexts within the child’s everyday environment (Schreibman et al., 2015; Vivanti & Zhong, 2020).”

All models included under the NDBI umbrella share common features and components informed by both behavioral and developmental theory.

“All models included under the NDBI umbrella share common features and components, which are informed by both behavioral and developmental theory.”

All reinforcement within the context of NDBIs is natural-the reinforcer is simply the natural result of whatever the child did.

“Additionally, all reinforcement within the context of NDBIs is also natural—that is, the reinforcer is simply the natural result of whatever the child did (Schreibman et al., 2015; Vivanti & Zhong, 2020), mirroring the same cause-and-effect relationships inherent in non-intervention contexts.”

Reductions in autism symptom severity are often highlighted as an intervention outcome in published literature.

“While NDBIs do not have the explicit goal of eradicating Autistic traits, reductions in autism symptom severity are often highlighted as an intervention outcome in published literature (e.g., Dawson et al., 2010; Vivanti & Zhong, 2020; Vivanti et al., 2019).”