Effects of Teachers as Coaches for Paraprofessionals Implementing Functional Communication Training

2021 ◽  
pp. 109830072098353
Author(s):  
Emily Gregori ◽  
Mandy J. Rispoli ◽  
Catharine Lory ◽  
So Yeon Kim ◽  
Marie David
Keyword(s):  
Special Education Teachers ◽  
Challenging Behavior ◽  
Professional Growth ◽  
Implementation Fidelity ◽  
Multiple Baseline ◽  
Functional Communication ◽  
Baseline Design ◽  
Behavioral Needs ◽  
Teacher Coaching ◽  
Child Engagement

Young children with intensive behavioral needs are often served by paraprofessionals, who are typically among the least trained and least supported staff in the school. While professional development opportunities to address challenging behavior are generally limited for special education teachers, such professional growth opportunities are often completely unavailable for paraprofessionals. The purpose of this study was to evaluate a program in which teachers served as coaches for paraprofessionals. Using a multiple-baseline design across paraprofessional-and-child dyads, we evaluated the effects of the teachers-as-coaches program on paraprofessional implementation fidelity and child engagement in challenging behavior and appropriate communication. The results showed that with teacher coaching, paraprofessionals increased their behavior intervention implementation fidelity to 100%. During the maintenance probes, two of the paraprofessionals implemented the intervention with 100% fidelity, and the third paraprofessional implemented the intervention with higher fidelity than baseline. Results also showed corresponding decreases in child challenging behavior and increases in appropriate communication. Implications for research and practice in supporting paraprofessionals are discussed.

scholarly journals Writing Treatment for Aphasia: A Texting Approach

2013 ◽  
Vol 56 (3) ◽  
pp. 945-955 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pélagie M. Beeson ◽  
Kristina Higginson ◽  
Kindle Rising
Keyword(s):  
Text Messaging ◽  
Cell Phone ◽  
Multiple Baseline ◽  
Functional Communication ◽  
Apraxia Of Speech ◽  
New Paradigm ◽  
Baseline Design ◽  
Combined Training ◽  
Functional Value ◽  
A Cell

Purpose Treatment studies have documented the therapeutic and functional value of lexical writing treatment for individuals with severe aphasia. The purpose of this study was to determine whether such retraining could be accomplished using the typing feature of a cellular telephone, with the ultimate goal of using text messaging for communication. Method A 31-year-old man with persistent Broca's aphasia, severe apraxia of speech, global dysgraphia, and right hemiparesis participated in this study. Using a multiple baseline design, relearning and maintenance of single-word spellings (and oral naming) of targeted items were examined in response to traditional Copy and Recall Treatment (CART) for handwriting and a new paradigm using 1-handed typing on a cell phone keyboard (i.e., a texting version of CART referred to as T-CART). Results Marked improvements were documented in spelling and spoken naming trained in either modality, with stronger maintenance for handwriting than cell phone typing. Training resulted in functional use of texting that continued for 2 years after treatment. Conclusions These results suggest that orthographic retraining using a cell phone keyboard has the potential to improve spelling knowledge and provide a means to improve functional communication skills. Combined training with both handwriting and cell phone typing should be considered in order to maximize the durability of treatment effects.

Reducing Aggression in Children with Autism toward Infant or Toddler Siblings

1998 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 111-118 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lynn Kern Koegel ◽  
Dara Stiebel ◽  
Robert L. Koegel
Keyword(s):  
Functional Assessment ◽  
Children With Autism ◽  
Communication Training ◽  
Multiple Baseline ◽  
Functional Communication ◽  
Home Setting ◽  
Baseline Design ◽  
The Family ◽  
Happiness Level

Children with autism often lack appropriate means to communicate and may rely on aggression and other disruptive behaviors to express their needs. This may be a particularly serious problem when aggression occurs toward an infant or toddler, who could be severely injured by an older sibling. This study examined the use of functional assessment and individualized parent-implemented intervention plans in the home setting, including functional communication training with relevant ecological manipulations. Data were collected in the context of a multiple baseline design across three families. The results showed that after the intervention there were: (1) large reductions in the children's aggression toward their infant or toddler sibling, (2) increases in parent and child happiness level, and (3) increases in strangers' level of comfort with respect to interacting with the family. The results are discussed in terms of improving the overall quality of life for families of children with autism.

Practitioner Implementation of Communication Intervention With Students With Complex Communication Needs

2019 ◽  
Vol 124 (5) ◽  
pp. 395-410 ◽  
Author(s):  
Natalie R. Andzik ◽  
Helen I. Cannella-Malone
Keyword(s):  
Special Education Teachers ◽  
Training Model ◽  
Multiple Baseline ◽  
Communication Intervention ◽  
Intellectual And Developmental Disabilities ◽  
Pyramidal Training ◽  
Baseline Design ◽  
Training Approach ◽  
Effective Training ◽  
Communication Needs

Abstract This study evaluated the effects of a pyramidal training approach that used an expert trainer who taught teachers how to train their paraeducators. Three special education teachers were taught to train four paraeducators to provide students with intellectual and developmental disabilities opportunities to initiate (OTI). A multiple baseline design across participants was used to evaluate the rate and fidelity that paraeducators provided OTI and least to most prompting strategies with students. Rates increased from 0 to an average of .58 per minute. Fidelity of implementation increased from 0% to an average of 94.5%. Maintenance data were recorded for three paraeducators. Schools should consider using this cost- and time-effective training model with staff.

scholarly journals A functional communication training for developing verbal behavior and treatment of challenging behavior in individuals with autism spectrum disorders

2021 ◽  
Vol 48 (4) ◽  
pp. 507-523
Author(s):  
Aneta Lew-Koralewicz
Keyword(s):  
Autism Spectrum Disorders ◽  
Challenging Behavior ◽  
Challenging Behaviors ◽  
Functional Communication Training ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Communication Training ◽  
Single Subject ◽  
Functional Communication ◽  
Baseline Design ◽  
Spectrum Disorders

Communication problems are one of the symptoms of autism spectrum disorders.  Challenging behaviors may be a form of communication with the environment, and when other forms of communication are not available, they may be the only way to meet their needs. The purpose of this article is to demonstrate the potential use of functional communication training in reducing problem behaviors of individuals with ASD, as well as developing acceptable ways of communication. In a research process based on behavior analysis, the method of single-subject experiment with multiple-baseline  design was used.  The results of the study show that the research participants developed communication skills on the basic level, and the frequency of their challenging behaviors has significantly decreased.

Effects of Phonological Decoding Training on Children's Word Recognition of CVC, CV, and VC Structures

1996 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 67-78 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kenyatta O. Rivers ◽  
Linda J. Lombardino ◽  
Cynthia K. Thompson
Keyword(s):  
Word Recognition ◽  
Multiple Baseline ◽  
Single Subject ◽  
Group Training ◽  
Complex Structures ◽  
Multiple Baseline Design ◽  
Baseline Design ◽  
Phonological Decoding ◽  
The Third ◽  
Letter Sound

The effects of training in letter-sound correspondences and phonemic decoding (segmenting and blending skills) on three kindergartners' word recognition abilities were examined using a single-subject multiple-baseline design across behaviors and subjects. Whereas CVC pseudowords were trained, generalization to untrained CVC pseudowords, untrained CVC real words, untrained CV and VC pseudowords, and untrained CV and VC real words were assessed. Generalization occurred to all of the untrained constructions for two of the three subjects. The third subject did not show the same degree of generalization to VC pseudowords and real words; however, after three training sessions, this subject read all VC constructions with 100% accuracy. Findings are consistent with group training studies that have shown the benefits of decoding training on word recognition and spelling skills and with studies that have demonstrated the effects of generalization to less complex structures when more complex structures are trained.

Stimulus Generalization Using Nonvisual Stimuli with a Student Who Has Autism Spectrum Disorder and Visual Impairment

2021 ◽  
Vol 115 (2) ◽  
pp. 121-133
Author(s):  
Robin Arnall ◽  
Yors Garcia ◽  
Annette K. Griffith ◽  
Jack Spear
Keyword(s):  
Visual Impairment ◽  
Private School ◽  
Sensory Input ◽  
Language Skills ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Multiple Baseline ◽  
Stimulus Generalization ◽  
Baseline Design ◽  
Tactile Stimuli ◽  
Low Levels

Introduction: The main objective of this study was to determine whether stimulus symmetry, or untaught generalized relations among stimuli, could be demonstrated using audio and tactile stimuli (i.e., nonvisual). Methods: A modified alternating treatment within a concurrent multiple baseline design across nonvisual stimulus sets (i.e., tactile and audio) was implemented with Zach, an 11-year-old male diagnosed with autism and visual impairment, to teach two relations (sound–touch and sound–label) among stimuli. Following training, the researcher tested whether Zach could identify stimuli through an untaught relation (touch–label). The study presented here required a week to complete and was conducted at a private school for individuals with behavioral concerns. Results: During baseline, Zach demonstrated low levels of correct responses (average of 7% across all relations) for all skills. In the training phase (for only two of the three targeted skills, sound–touch and sound–label relations), Zach demonstrated proficiency for most stimuli used in the sets (average of 61% across relations). Finally, in the testing phase (the untaught touch–label relation), Zach demonstrated high levels of generalized acquisition (89%). Discussion: Results indicated that the procedure used in this study could be generalized to novel populations, including those with visual impairments, and that different forms of sensory input could be used, including auditory and tactile-based teaching. Implications for practitioners: Individuals working with learners with differing levels of visual impairment could utilize the demonstrated procedure to associate types of stimuli, using methods other than visual input. The procedure outlined would benefit a population that may require assistance with developing language skills but who also may have difficulties using common visual stimuli.

Multiple baseline design

TVZ ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 131 (1) ◽  
pp. 52-53
Author(s):  
Katrien Cuyvers
Keyword(s):  
Multiple Baseline ◽  
Multiple Baseline Design ◽  
Baseline Design

A Parent-Implemented Shared Reading Intervention via Telepractice

2021 ◽  
pp. 105381512110322
Author(s):  
Yusuf Akemoglu ◽  
Vanessa Hinton ◽  
Dayna Laroue ◽  
Vanessa Jefferson
Keyword(s):  
Time Delay ◽  
Single Case ◽  
Multiple Baseline ◽  
Video Editing ◽  
Baseline Design ◽  
Communicative Acts ◽  
Use Of Time ◽  
Young Children With Disabilities ◽  
Evidenced Based ◽  
Feedback Delivery

We describe a study of the internet-based Parent-Implemented Communication Strategies–Storybook (i-PiCSS), an intervention designed to train and coach parents to use evidenced-based naturalistic communication teaching (NCT) strategies (i.e., modeling, mand-model, and time delay) and RTs while reading storybooks with their young children with disabilities. Three participating parents were trained and coached via telepractice technologies (videoconferences, video editing software). Zoom software was used for videoconferencing and Camtasia software was used to record the training and coaching sessions and to edit the recorded session for feedback delivery purposes. Using a single-case multiple-baseline design across NCT strategies within each family, we examined (a) parents’ fidelity use of the three NCT strategies, (b) parents’ use of book RTs, and (c) child language and communication outcomes. The entire intervention period lasted 8 weeks. After training and coaching, parents used the modeling, mand-model, and time delay strategies with higher rates and higher quality (accuracy). Children initiated more communicative acts upon parents’ use of time delay and increased their numbers of single- and multiple-word responses.

Generalization with Precision: The Role of Negative Teaching Examples in the Instruction of Generalized Grocery Item Selection

1986 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 300-308 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert H. Horner ◽  
Richard W. Albin ◽  
Ginevera Ralph
Keyword(s):  
Young Adults ◽  
Grocery Store ◽  
Item Selection ◽  
Multiple Baseline ◽  
Correct Selection ◽  
Correct Rejection ◽  
Baseline Design ◽  
Dependent Variables ◽  
Selection Of

For generalization to be functional, it must occur with a precision that results in acquired responses occurring under appropriate, nontrained conditions, and acquired responses not occurring under inappropriate, nontrained conditions. This study examines the effect of differing types of negative teaching examples on the precision with which generalized grocery item selection is learned. Within a split-multiple baseline design, six young adults identified as mildly, moderately, or severely mentally retarded were trained to select or to reject grocery items using picture cards as cues. The dependent variables were correct selection of 10 trained “positive” grocery items and the correct rejection of 20 nontrained “negative” grocery items in a nontrained grocery store. Participants were trained in a grocery store to select 10 positive grocery examples matching their picture cards and to reject either (a) a set of negative examples that were maximally different from the positive examples, or (b) a set of negative examples that were minimally different from the positive examples. Both training sets resulted in participants correctly selecting the 10 positive items in a nontrained store. Training with the “minimally different” negative examples was functionally related to improved rejection of nontrained negative items in the nontrained store. The implications of teaching with minimally different, negative examples are discussed.

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