Early Communication Intervention for Individuals with Autism
A special issue of Behavioral Sciences (ISSN 2076-328X). This special issue belongs to the section "Child and Adolescent Psychiatry".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 15 June 2026
Special Issue Editors
Interests: autism spectrum disorders (ASD); augmentative and alternative communication (AAC); early intervention
Interests: social communication; autism; parent/family implemented interventions; naturalistic developmental behavioral interventions
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
This Special Issue of Behavioral Sciences focuses on advancing the field of early communication intervention for individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). We invite contributions that explore innovative, inclusive, and evidence-based approaches to supporting communication development in young autistic individuals (ages birth–eight). Of particular interest are studies employing naturalistic developmental behavioral interventions (NDBIs), augmentative and alternative communication (AAC), multimodal communication strategies, and strength-based approaches to echolalia. We also welcome research on communication partner instruction, interprofessional collaboration, and interventions tailored for bilingual, multilingual, or non-English-speaking children and families, as well as those from marginalized communities. Submissions must demonstrate a commitment to neurodiversity and child autonomy, including clear descriptions of child assent procedures and measures of social validity. In addition to empirical intervention studies, we encourage systematic reviews, meta-analyses, theoretical or conceptual papers, and qualitative research papers that contribute to a deeper understanding of early communication practices. Papers that include autistic authors are also encouraged. This issue aims to foster interdisciplinary dialogue and promote equitable, respectful, and effective communication support for all autistic children.
Dr. Cindy Gevarter
Dr. Ciara Ousley
Dr. Sophia D'Agostino
Guest Editors
Manuscript Submission Information
Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.
Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Behavioral Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.
Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2200 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.
Keywords
- autism
- early communication intervention
- neurodiversity
- augmentative and alternative communication
- naturalistic developmental behavioral interventions
- echolalia
- bilingualism
- social validity
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