# Using the Theory of Change framework to map active ingredients and mechanisms of change underlying an early parent-implemented intervention for autism spectrum disorder

> **NIH NIH F31** · MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY · 2020 · $37,465

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a lifelong neurodevelopmental disability that affects 1 in 59 children in the
United States. Early intervention is crucial for improving outcomes in this population. A growing body of early
intervention research supports the use of Naturalistic Developmental Behavioral Interventions (NDBIs), which
integrate developmental and behavioral techniques. A focus on caregiver involvement in early intervention led
to the development of parent-implemented NDBIs (PI-NDBIs), in which parents are taught to deliver NDBI
techniques with their children. However, more research is needed to understand how best to support
caregivers in promoting their children’s learning at home. While PI-NDBIs have a growing evidence base for
improving child outcomes, these complex interventions have not been widely adopted in community settings.
The long-term goal of this research is to inform the optimization of PI-NDBIs in order to maximize efficacy,
enable more widespread community implementation, and support planned adaptation of these interventions in
community settings. These align with NICHD research priorities to promote the development,
dissemination, and implementation of treatments for developmental disabilities that will impact clinical
care in community settings and improve quality of life. Recent advances in the evaluation of complex
interventions emphasize the utility of mixed method approaches for understanding how complex treatments
work. The study objective is to use a mixed methods approach to elucidate potential active ingredients and
associated mechanisms of change of an empirically supported early intervention which addresses core deficits
of ASD. First, interviews with key stakeholders and subsequent qualitative analysis will be used to develop a
comprehensive Theory of Change describing the potential active ingredients and mechanisms of change
underlying Project ImPACT, an evidence-based PI-NDBI. This will clarify how parent- and provider-level factors
may impact intervention outcomes. Next, a triangulation protocol will be used to integrate theory and research
evidence with data from stakeholders. These results will be visualized in a Theory of Change model. Last, we
will provide proof-of-concept of the Theory of Change by testing select pathways using archival data from
intervention trials of Project ImPACT. The proposed research and multifaceted training plan include ongoing
mentorship with experts in intervention and implementation science, advanced training in qualitative and mixed
methods research, exposure to the field of evaluation science, supervised clinical experience, and experience
engaging community stakeholders in research. Identification of active ingredients and associated mechanisms
of change has the potential to optimize effectiveness and streamline interventions to increase access for those
with limited resources and the greatest need for high fidelity treatments. This would help address...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10064234
- **Project number:** 1F31HD103209-01
- **Recipient organization:** MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Kyle Michele Frost
- **Activity code:** F31 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $37,465
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2020-09-01 → 2022-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10064234

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10064234, Using the Theory of Change framework to map active ingredients and mechanisms of change underlying an early parent-implemented intervention for autism spectrum disorder (1F31HD103209-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-26 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10064234. Licensed CC0.

---

*[NIH grants dataset](/datasets/nih-grants) · CC0 1.0*