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Episode #245: Naturalistic Interventions with Dr. Jessica Osos

What is Reciprocal Imitation Training (RIT), and how can it support social communication skills? In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Jessica Osos, BCBA, to explore the definition and application of RIT—a naturalistic developmental behavioral intervention (NDBI) designed to teach learners to imitate spontaneously through ongoing, play-based social interaction. Unlike structured drills, RIT is child-led and play-focused, helping to build social skills that go far beyond imitation.

For many SLPs and BCBAs, this is a new approach. Dr. Osos explains how the back-and-forth of imitation highlights the value in what the child is doing and how strategies like Sports Casting (narrating the interaction) can enrich play. Expanding play might mean introducing more toys, exploring new play schemas, or creating deeper sequences.

Key factors for successful RIT involve simple language, emphasizing important words, being repetitive, and expanding language by copying and adding. Focusing on goals beyond imitation? RIT doesn’t have to be a “this or that” choice. This child-led expansive approach works with a variety of social communication like joint attention and more!

#autism #speechtherapy

Today’s Guest:

Jessica received her Master’s in Applied Behavior Analysis from Michigan State University and became a Board Certified Behavior Analyst in 2018. She supervised clinic based ABA services in Michigan for 3 years prior to starting her PhD where her research focused on toilet training and generative learning strategies for autistic preschoolers. Jessica received her Doctorate of Philosophy in Disability Disciplines with a focus in Applied Behavior Analysis from Utah State University in 2025. Jessica currently oversees Primary Children’s Hospital’s inaugural Early Intervention ABA clinic in Riverton, UT; remotely supervises a structured practicum program for HealthCall of Detroit with 5-10 graduate students at a time; and provides independent consulting through Copper Consulting Group, LLC to graduate students, ABA companies, and families seeking ABA services related to toilet training, quality monitoring, systems level change, organizational behavior management, and graduate student supervision/practicum.

What’s Inside:

  • Naturalistic Intervention using Reciprocal Imitation Training.
  • What is RIT?
  • Expanding play for a variety of social, communication, and leisure skills.

Mentioned In This Episode

 

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