Examining the Effectiveness of Peer-mediated Interventions, and the Effect of Peer Training Strategies for Young People with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Meta-analysis

Peer-mediated interventions (PMI) can be administered to young people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). This evidence-based intervention is implemented with typically developing peers, who are trained on behavioral and social strategies, in order to improve the social, communication, and play skills of children and adolescents with ASD. The present study aims to investigate the effectiveness of PMI and the moderating effect of peer training strategies, particularly direct instruction and video modeling. Following a systematic search, a meta-regression analysis was conducted, including a total of 12 studies. Overall, PMI was found to be an effective intervention for the social, communication, and play skills of children and adolescents with autism. The present study also found that both direct instruction and video modeling are appropriate peer training strategies to employ in PMI, and that the effectiveness of this intervention is not dependent on the type of training that is...Show morePeer-mediated interventions (PMI) can be administered to young people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). This evidence-based intervention is implemented with typically developing peers, who are trained on behavioral and social strategies, in order to improve the social, communication, and play skills of children and adolescents with ASD. The present study aims to investigate the effectiveness of PMI and the moderating effect of peer training strategies, particularly direct instruction and video modeling. Following a systematic search, a meta-regression analysis was conducted, including a total of 12 studies. Overall, PMI was found to be an effective intervention for the social, communication, and play skills of children and adolescents with autism. The present study also found that both direct instruction and video modeling are appropriate peer training strategies to employ in PMI, and that the effectiveness of this intervention is not dependent on the type of training that is delivered to the peer workers. Future research is recommended on this area, as several limitations and data inconsistencies were found. Future studies should consider higher sample sizes, reporting follow-up and generalization data, and exploring potential mediators and moderators.Show less

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Examining the Effectiveness of Peer-mediated Interventions, and the Effect of Peer Training Strategies for Young People with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Meta-analysis