Applied Behavior Analysis Interventions for People With Autism in Brazil: A Systematic Literature Review
摘要
Research focused on interventions for individuals with autism has experienced exponential growth in recent years. Applied behavior analysis (ABA), a science that addresses socially significant issues, has become a widely used and recommended intervention approach. However, despite its widespread use, most research on the application of ABA-based interventions has been conducted in high-income countries such as the United States, Canada, and Western European countries. Consequently, there is limited information about the effectiveness and feasibility of ABA-based interventions for individuals with autism in low- and middle-income countries. The primary objective of this study was to conduct a systematic review of empirical studies evaluating the effects of ABA-based interventions for individuals with autism in Brazil. Additionally, we aimed to assess the quality of identified articles using the What Works Clearinghouse (WWC) standards for single-subject design studies. We conducted searches across various databases and journals publishing behavior analytic content, and we also performed reference and citation checks to identify additional articles that may not have appeared in our initial search. A total of 59 articles met the inclusion criteria and underwent descriptive analysis and quality appraisal. Results showed similar research trends as demonstrated in previous reviews. Following the quality appraisal, 14 articles were classified as “Meets Study Standards,” and 10 were classified as “Meets Study Standards With Reservation.” The remaining articles (n = 35) were classified as “Does not meet Study Standards.” The findings of this review were discussed in terms of publication trends, the number and demographic characteristics of participants, features of the intervention, and the experimental characteristics of the studies.