Episode 19: Partnering With Parents and Promoting Play_Coaching Insights from Research and Practice

In this episode of The NDBI Navigator Podcast, I’m joined by Dr. Brooke Ingersoll and Ana Dvortcsak—developers of Project ImPACT and two leading voices in autism intervention, parent coaching, and Naturalistic Developmental Behavioral Interventions (NDBIs). The conversation dives deep into the evolving science and real-world application of parent-mediated interventions, with a strong focus on empowering caregivers, supporting generalization, and promoting engagement through play. Brooke and Ana share lessons from years of research and clinical experience, emphasizing collaboration, flexibility, and joy as key ingredients in effective intervention. The discussion also addresses common challenges such as fidelity, stress, and motivation—and offers practical guidance for balancing evidence-based practices with what truly works for families.