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A Comparison of Feedback Provided In Vivo Versus an Online Platform on the Treatment Integrity of Staff Working with Children with Autism

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Abstract

The number of BACB-accredited distance education programs is increasing, potentially bringing remote supervision into greater demand. Videoconferencing programs like Skype™ represent one avenue for remote supervision. The current study compares the effects of covert observations, in vivo observations, and observations using the Skype™ program on treatment integrity in three therapists working with children diagnosed with autism. The results show that the level of treatment integrity is comparable in both the in vivo and Skype™ conditions, both of which are superior to the covert observation condition.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Houston–Clear Lake, Houston, TX, USA

    Rachel M. Pantermuehl & Sarah A. Lechago

Authors
  1. Rachel M. Pantermuehl
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  2. Sarah A. Lechago
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Sarah A. Lechago.

Additional information

• Skype™ videoconferencing software maybe an effective tool for remote supervision.

• Real-time supervision using Skype™ software maintains treatment integrity in therapists as high as that observed during in vivo observations and higher than that observed during covert observations.

• Skype™ videoconferencing software is an affordable and effective option, making it an accessible option to many types of providers.

• Programs that offer online and long-distance supervision may benefit from conducting real-time supervision using Skype™ videoconferencing software.

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Pantermuehl, R.M., Lechago, S.A. A Comparison of Feedback Provided In Vivo Versus an Online Platform on the Treatment Integrity of Staff Working with Children with Autism. Behav Analysis Practice 8, 219–222 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40617-015-0059-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40617-015-0059-y

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