Intensive Interaction as an intervention approach in children with autism spectrum disorder: a systematic review

Authors

  • Angelos Papadopoulos 1) Department of Speech and Language Therapy, School of Health Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Patras, Patras, Greece. 2) General Children's Hospital of Patras "Karamandaneio", Patras, Greece.
  • Ioannis Vogindroukas 1) School of Education, Nicosia University, Nicosia, Cyprus. 2) Department of Health Care and Social Work, New Bulgarian University, Sofia, Bulgaria.
  • Angeliki Tsapara Department of Speech and Language Therapy, School of Health Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Patras, Patras, Greece.
  • Louiza Voniati Department of Health Sciences, Speech and Language Therapy, European University, Nicosia, Cyprus.
  • Dionysios Tafiadis Department Speech and Language Therapy, School of Health Sciences, University of Patras, Patras, Greece.
  • Panagiotis Plotas 1) Department of Speech and Language Therapy, School of Health Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Patras, Patras, Greece. 2) Laboratory of Primary Health Care, School of Health Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Patras, Patras, Greece.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.31117/neuroscirn.v6i4.276

Keywords:

Intensive Interaction, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Children, Communication, Systematic Review

Abstract

As a neurodevelopmental condition, autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is characterised by pervasive social interaction and communication deficits. This review aimed to identify and synthesise the latest literature about the effectiveness of the Intensive Interaction approach in children with ASD. The review was conducted according to the PRISMA guidelines. The total number of children with ASD was 28, aged from 4 to 14 years old, with 27 males and only one female. The studies addressed intervention goals related to non-verbal and intentional communication, behavioural difficulties, joint attention, and parent-child interaction. The findings from the studies indicated that children with ASD had a positive outcome from the involvement in the Intensive Interaction approach. Regrettably, the constraints imposed by the methodology and design employed in the studies, coupled with the limited sample sizes (two of the studies consisted of a single case), preclude forming any definitive conclusions about the impacts of Intensive Interaction. However, the evidence is at least sufficient to support the assertions put forth by the authors. Despite the encouraging evidence of the effectiveness of the Intensive Interaction approach, multiple factors contribute as barriers to this issue, including the inherent challenges associated with conducting high-quality research that adheres to rigorous methodological standards.

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Published

2023-12-11

How to Cite

Papadopoulos, A., Vogindroukas, I., Tsapara, A., Voniati, L., Tafiadis, D. and Plotas, P. (2023) “Intensive Interaction as an intervention approach in children with autism spectrum disorder: a systematic review”, Neuroscience Research Notes, 6(4), pp. 276.1–276.9. doi: 10.31117/neuroscirn.v6i4.276.