Teaching individuals to conduct paired-stimulus preference assessments for persons with developmental disabilities using computer-aided instruction
Loading...
Date
2019-08
Authors
Michalyshyn, Chelsey
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
Stimulus preference assessments are evidence-based methods for identifying preferred items and potential reinforcers for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. In Experiment 1, the effectiveness of a Paired-Stimulus Self-Instructional Manual, delivered online using the Computer-Aided Personalized System of Instruction (CAPSI), with added videos, was evaluated. In a concurrent multiple-probe design across four groups of undergraduate university students, no participant met the mastery criterion (80%) on written knowledge tests or during simulated assessments, during baseline or after reading a method description adapted from the published literature. However, 11 of the 12 participants met mastery following the online self-instructional training package. Participants improved from a mean performance accuracy of 45.3% in baseline to a mean of 92.4% at post-CAPSI on written knowledge tests, and from a mean performance accuracy of 26.5% in baseline to 85.4% during post-CAPSI simulated assessments. Generalization assessments conducted 7 to 14 days post-CAPSI, showed that all participants performed above the mastery criterion (M = 93.3%). In Experiment 2, the online training package was implemented and managed by an Autism Consultant in a clinical setting for children with autism spectrum disorder, to teach Autism Tutors to carry out the procedure. In a concurrent multiple-probe design across three Autism Tutors, all met and exceeded the mastery criterion (80%) at post-CAPSI on both written knowledge tests and simulated assessments. Mean performance on written knowledge tests improved from 55.7% in baseline to 94.3% at post-CAPSI, and mean performance on simulated assessments improved from 31.8% in baseline to 90% at post-CAPSI. Generalization assessments conducted 7 to 14 days post-CAPSI showed that all Autism Tutors performed above the mastery criterion (M = 88.7%). The online training package was rated highly on social validity assessments in both experiments.
Description
Keywords
Preference assessment, Self-instructional training, Direct-stimulus preference assessment, Preference, Video modeling, Self-instructional manual, Paired-stimulus procedure, Computer-aided personalized system of instruction