ABSTRACT

Objective

To examine predictors of implementation and perceived usefulness of four empirically supported strategies for treating externalizing behavior in youths with ASD.

Method

Participants were 557 providers in the United States with experience treating externalizing behavior in youths with ASD. Generalized estimating equations were used to determine whether self-reported use and usefulness of four empirically supported intervention strategies (functional communication training, functional behavior analysis, visual tools/supports, token economy) were predicted by key provider characteristics: professional discipline, experience, and practice specialization (across three indices) in ASD. Post-hoc contrasts were performed to identify provider groups reporting the greatest use and usefulness of the four strategies.

Results

Strategies were most often used by providers with behavioral backgrounds, though perceived usefulness of strategies varied by providers’ professional discipline. Compared to providers with more than 10 years of experience, less experienced providers endorsed the highest average use and usefulness of almost all strategies. Regarding ASD practice specialization, a lower volume of ASD cases, treating fewer youths with ASD over a 5-year period, and having a higher proportion of practice time working with youths with ASD reported were associated with greater use and usefulness of the strategies.

Conclusions

Empirically supported strategies are widely used by and perceived as useful by providers who treat youths with ASD and co-occurring externalizing behaviors. Use and usefulness varies based on provider discipline, experience, and ASD practice specialization.

中文翻译：

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提供者自我报告的自闭症青少年外化行为干预策略的使用和有用性

 抽象的

 客观的

旨在检查治疗自闭症谱系障碍青少年外化行为的四种经验支持策略的实施预测因素和感知有用性。

 方法

参与者是美国的 557 名提供者，他们具有治疗患有自闭症谱系障碍 (ASD) 青少年外化行为的经验。使用广义估计方程来确定自我报告的四种经验支持的干预策略（功能性沟通培训、功能性行为分析、视觉工具/支持、代币经济）的使用和有用性是否通过关键提供者特征进行预测：专业纪律、经验和实践 ASD 专业化（跨三个指数）。进行事后对比以确定报告四种策略最大用途和有用性的提供者群体。

 结果

具有行为背景的提供者最常使用策略，尽管策略的有用性因提供者的专业学科而异。与拥有 10 年以上经验的提供商相比，经验较少的提供商认可几乎所有策略的最高平均使用率和有用性。关于自闭症谱系障碍实践专业化，自闭症谱系障碍病例数量较少，在 5 年期间治疗自闭症谱系障碍青少年较少，以及与报告的自闭症谱系障碍青少年一起工作的实践时间比例较高，与策略的更多使用和有用性相关。

 结论

经验支持的策略被治疗患有自闭症谱系障碍和同时发生的外化行为的青少年的提供者广泛使用并认为是有用的。用途和有用性根据提供者的纪律、经验和 ASD 实践专业化而有所不同。