Use of peer-mediated interventions in the treatment of autism spectrum disorders: A systematic review

This review involved a systematic analysis of studies that focused on the use of peer-mediated interventions (PMI) in the treatment of individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Forty-two studies that met pre-determined inclusion criteria were analyzed and summarized in terms of: (a) participants receiving intervention, (b) peers implementing, (c) method of training peers, (d) intervention procedures, and (e) desired outcomes. Further, we critically appraised each study's design and related methodological details in order to determine certainty of evidence. Collectively, the 42 studies involved a total of 172 participants who received intervention from a total of 396 trained peers. The reported outcomes were mostly positive (91%), but the studies are limited because treatment fidelity was only rarely assessed. Overall, the reviewed studies suggest that PMI is a versatile and potentially effective intervention approach for individuals with ASD.