Effective Adherence to Evidence-Based Psychotherapy for Autistic Youth

Researchers have developed a new measure to track the effectiveness of evidence-based practices in working with autistic youth. This self-report measure, called the MEYA Integrity Scale-Practitioner Version (MEYA-IS-PV), assesses practitioners' adherence to established therapeutic techniques such as cognitive behavioral therapy and behavioral intervention practices. A study involving seven behavioral health practitioners found that training on the Modular EBPs for Youth on the Autism Spectrum (MEYA) app significantly increased adherence to these techniques. The study's results also showed a positive correlation between self-reported adherence and expert-rated adherence, as well as improvements in youth behavioral health outcomes.

Key Takeaways:

• The MEYA Integrity Scale-Practitioner Version (MEYA-IS-PV) is a self-report measure developed to track practitioners' adherence to evidence-based practices in working with autistic youth.
• A multiple baseline study involving seven behavioral health practitioners found that training on the MEYA app increased adherence to evidence-based practices such as cognitive behavioral therapy and behavioral intervention practices.
• Self-ratings of adherence as measured by the MEYA-IS-PV corresponded to expert ratings of adherence, and predicted improvements in youth behavioral health.
• Five out of seven practitioners increased their self-reported adherence following training in evidence-based practices.
• The study suggests that self-ratings of adherence are a promising tool for examining adherence to evidence-based practices in psychotherapy or counseling for autistic youth.

Statistics:

• Seven behavioral health practitioners participated in the study.
• 5 out of 7 practitioners increased their self-reported adherence to evidence-based practices following training on the MEYA app.
• Linear mixed models showed a significant increase in MEYA-IS-PV scores following the onset of training in evidence-based practices.
• Expert coders rated the therapists' adherence to EBPs for each session, and showed a positive correlation with self-ratings.
• Caregivers rated improvements in youth behavioral health on the Youth Top Problems scale.

Sources:

• osf.io:preprints/psyarxiv/x2ume_v1/