Emergent Multi-Class Imitation Training (EMIT)

A Pilot Investigation of Emergent Multi-Class Imitation Training (EMIT)

The goals of this project are to (a) incorporate empirical findings on imitation training and learning in autistic children into a comprehensive protocol for Applied Behavior Analysis practitioners designed to rapidly facilitate generalized imitation called Emergent Multi-Class Imitation Training (EMIT), and (b) collect pilot data on the efficacy of EMIT with a small sample of autistic children. EMIT will incorporate several features that are grounded in prior research including: (a) evidence-based procedures for establishing trained matching relations (a pre-requisite to generalized imitation), (b) concurrent training of different response types (e.g., motor imitation, object imitation, vocal imitation) to address restricted generalization, (c) multiple manipulative object imitation training, (d) evidence-based procedures for remediating slow acquisition, and (e) frequent tests for the emergence of generalized imitation. EMIT will be the first protocol designed for clinical use that reflects research findings on imitation learning spanning almost five decades.

Study Overview

• Status: Recruiting
• Conditions: Autism Spectrum Disorder
• Intervention / Treatment: Behavioral: Emergent Multi-Class Imitation Training

Detailed Description

Using findings from prior research, the investigators will design a manualized training protocol (EMIT) for establishing generalized imitation in autistic children that supervised behavior therapists can implement with a high degree of fidelity. The EMIT protocol will serve as a guide for behavior therapists to help them deliver high-quality, empirically derived imitation training to autistic children. The investigators will conduct a small pilot study to evaluate the effects of EMIT on the emergence of generalized imitation with young autistic children. Single-case experimental design will be used. A multiple baseline across participants design is a single-case design that is common in imitation research with this population. In short, the start of the intervention is stagged across participants to systematically assess the effects of the intervention on each participant's behavior. In this experiment, confirmation that EMIT is responsible for any observed effects will be obtained when changes in each participant's behavior (i.e., correct imitation of novel responses) occur when, and only when, the intervention is introduced.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Estimated): 25
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

• Study Contact: Name: Meghan A Deshais, Ph.D.; Phone Number: 860-942-4453; Email: m.deshais@rutgers.edu

Study Locations

• United States
  • New Jersey
    • New Brunswick, New Jersey, United States, 08901
      • Recruiting
      • Rutgers University
      • Contact: Meghan A Deshais, Ph.D.; Phone Number: 860-942-4453; Email: m.deshais@rutgers.edu

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Child
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder
• Age 5 or under
• Maximum score of 40 on Motor Vocal Imitation Assessment
• Demonstrates identity matching above chance levels

Exclusion Criteria:

• Diagnosis of intellectual disability
• Diagnosis of certain conditions that impact motor function (e.g., cerebral palsy)
• Visual impairment
• Hearing impairment

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Treatment
• Allocation: N/A
• Interventional Model: Single Group Assignment
• Masking: None (Open Label)

Number of Arms

1

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm

Intervention / Treatment

Experimental: EMIT Intervention; Participants will receive the EMIT intervention.

Behavioral: Emergent Multi-Class Imitation Training; Sessions will be conducted in a room with minimal distractions containing a table, two chairs, a timer, and 3-4 highly preferred (HP) items identified by preference assessments. A maximum of 10 sessions per week will be distributed across at least 3 days per week. Each session will take 15-20 min to conduct. Novel probe trials will be embedded throughout all sessions to continuously assess for the emergence of generalized imitation. When participants can consistently imitate novel probe responses, the intervention will conclude.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Probe performance	Correct responding to probe trials (novel targets)	Approximately 3x per week throughout participant's EMIT intervention, approximately 3-6 months

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Motor Vocal Imitation Assessment	Performance on Motor Vocal Imitation Assessment	Pre-Intervention and Post-Intervention (within 2 weeks of intervention completion)

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
• Investigators: Principal Investigator: Meghan A Deshais, Ph.D., Rutgers University

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): March 27, 2022
• Primary Completion (Estimated): August 31, 2027
• Study Completion (Estimated): August 31, 2027

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: April 5, 2023
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: April 27, 2023
• First Posted (Actual): May 8, 2023

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): May 19, 2026
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: May 15, 2026
• Last Verified: July 1, 2025

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: Autism; Imitation
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Mental Disorders; Neurodevelopmental Disorders; Child Development Disorders, Pervasive; Autism Spectrum Disorder; Autistic Disorder
• Other Study ID Numbers: Pro2022001609

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: NO

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No