The Effects of Trainer-Implemented Enhanced Milieu Teaching on the Social Communication of Children with Autism

Abstract

This study examined the effects of Enhanced Milieu Teaching on the social communication skills of preschool children with autism when delivered by trained interventionists. A modified single-subject design across four children was used to assess the children's acquisition, maintenance, and generalized use of language targets and social communication skills as a result of the intervention. Observational data indicated that all children showed positive increases for specific target language use at the end of 24 intervention sessions, and these results were maintained through the 6 month follow-up observations. There was also evidence of positive changes in the complexity and diversity of language for children on observational measures. Three of the four children also generalized these positive language effects to interactions with their mothers at home, with the greatest changes seen immediately after the intervention. Parent satisfaction with the intervention procedures and child outcomes were high.