A comparison of intervention for problematic speech using reinforcement with and without preferred topics. Issue 1 (28th September 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Stocco, Corey S.; Saavedra, Ingrid; Fakharzadeh, Sadaf; Patel, Meg R.; Thompson, Rachel H.
• Is Part Of: Journal of applied behavior analysis. Volume 54:Issue 1(2021)
• Page Start: 217
• Page End: 230
• Publication Date: 2020-09-28
• Subjects: attention deficit hyperactivity disorder -- autism -- conversation -- restricted interests -- social skills; Psychology, Applied -- Periodicals; Social Behavior -- Periodicals; 150
• DOI: 10.1002/jaba.770
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0021-8855

Abstract

Abstract : Previous research has shown that responding to the appropriate and problematic speech of individuals diagnosed with developmental disabilities with interested and uninterested listener responses, respectively, can promote more appropriate conversational engagement. However, Fisher et al. (2013) also responded to appropriate speech with access to preferred conversational topics. This study examined the influence of listener interest on the problematic speech of 8 participants and tested the additive effects of (Study 1) and participant preference for (Study 2) delivering preferred topics as reinforcement for appropriate speech. Interventions were equally effective with or without arranging access to preferred topics, but a majority of participants demonstrated a preference for intervention with contingent access to preferred topics. Caregivers and speech‐language pathologists rated the intervention procedures as acceptable and changes in participants' speech satisfactory.