Reciprocal Imitation Training for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders

The purpose of this study was to examine in the scope of the recent literature the Reciprocal Imitation Training (Ingersoll, 2008), which was suggested to be effective in teaching imitation skills to children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). Firstly, theoretical foundations of Reciprocal Imitation Training (RIT) are explained; secondly, RIT techniques and its implementation steps are introduced. Thirdly, findings of the related research which examines effectiveness of RIT on acquisition or spontaneous use of imitation skills of children with ASD were discussed. Lastly, suggestions for practitioners and for research about teaching imitation skills to children with ASD in Turkey are made in the direction of the current literature.