ERIC Number: EJ1489663
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2025-Dec
Pages: 16
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1362-3613
EISSN: EISSN-1461-7005
Available Date: 0000-00-00
Examining the Use of Implementation Science in Autism Intervention Research: A Scoping Review
James D. Lee1; Adriana Kaori Terol2; Jessica E. Tschida3; Anamiguel Pomales-Ramos3; Scott McEathron4; Anna Wallisch5; Brian A. Boyd6
Autism: The International Journal of Research and Practice, v29 n12 p2911-2926 2025
Although the field of autism intervention has strived to identify evidence-based practices, translating these interventions into real-world settings remains a significant challenge. This gap particularly impacts marginalized communities, where access to and quality of services are often inferior. Implementation science addresses these gaps by promoting the adoption and integration of evidence-based practices in community-based settings, thereby helping reduce disparities. While various frameworks and strategies have emerged to guide the successful implementation of autism evidence-based practices, the application of implementation science within autism intervention research remains underexplored. To address this gap, we conducted this scoping review that included 13 studies to examine how implementation science is applied in autism intervention research delivered in community-based settings. Specifically, we aimed to (1) describe the characteristics of implementation-focused studies (e.g. study design, participant types, intervention contexts); (2) examine how implementation frameworks, strategies, and outcomes were used to guide and evaluate intervention efforts; and (3) analyze how studies align with phases of the autism-specific implementation framework developed by Boyd et al. ("Autism"). Most studies were conducted in school settings. Fidelity was the most frequently assessed implementation outcome, while acceptability, adoption, and appropriateness were also commonly measured. Nearly all studies focused on early-phase implementation (e.g. exploration, initial implementation), with limited attention to sustainment or scale-up. The findings offer a starting point for future research to better implement autism evidence-based practices in community settings.
Descriptors: Autism Spectrum Disorders, Research Design, Intervention, Program Implementation, Evidence Based Practice, Fidelity, Program Effectiveness, Skill Development, Barriers, Community Programs
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Information Analyses
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: KL2TR002317
Author Affiliations: 1The University of Texas at Austin, USA; 2University of California, Davis, USA; 3Michigan State University, USA; 4University of Kansas Libraries, USA; 5University of Kansas Medical Center, USA; 6The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, USA

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