Date of Award

Summer 8-15-2025

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

MA Applied Behavior Analysis

Department

Professional Psychology and Family Therapy

Advisor

Frank R. Cicero, PhD, BCBA, LBA

Committee Member

Lauren Goodwyn, PhD, BCBA

Committee Member

Jessica Amador, PhD, BCBA

Keywords

peer-mediated intervention, peer-based intervention, peer modeling, autism

Abstract

Abstract

Autism spectrum disorder is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by deficits in social communication, social interactions and restricted, repetitive and stereotyped patterns of behavior, interest or activities. These deficits hinder autistic children’s social and communicative skills. Peer-mediated interventions (PMIs) have been found effective in the development of communication, play and social skills in individuals with ASD. In PMIs typically developing children are trained to be peer models of socially acceptable behavior for children with ASD. This however may contrast with literature indicating that the most effective peer models are individuals who share similarities with the learner. The current study was a systematic review of literature to determine if there is sufficient empirical research to support the use of PMIs for autistic children when autistic children are utilized as peer instructors and models. A total of 74 studies were assessed for inclusion criteria. No articles were left in this literature review, which concluded as empty.

Key words: peer-mediated intervention, peer-based intervention, peer modeling, autism

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