Most paraprofessionals are not well trained to implement evidence-based practices that can improve student outcomes. In this study, we trained a paraprofessional to use evidence-based instructional practices with an elementary student with a severe disability who exhibited challenging behavior. Through functional analysis, we determined the…

Although peer support arrangements are a promising strategy to promote inclusion in general education classrooms, previous studies have not addressed how paraprofessionals might implement this strategy under typical circumstances without extensive researcher involvement. In this single-case design study, four special education teachers trained and…

Four young children with severe and moderate handicaps were taught to generalize play responses. Across the four participants, training to generalize within-toy sets resulted in complete between-class generalization in 11 sets, partial generalization in 3 sets, and no generalization in 2 sets. (Author/CL)

A multiple baseline design across subjects assessed effects of vestibular stimulation on acquisition of erect and symmetrical sitting of three preschoolers with severe and multiple handicaps. All three Ss made gains in erect sitting. Results from the symmetrical sitting measure were less conclusive. (Author/CL)

The authors review recreation/leisure training programs conducted with moderately/severely disabled individuals. Emphasis is placed on databased task-analytic, instructional efforts and recent curriculum volumes/position papers. Programing implications include the value of task sequences involving gradual increments in response requirements.…

A young adult with severe disabilities was taught to initiate, sustain, and terminate an Atari video game. A multiple probe design across these three skills clusters was used to validate the instructional package. Instruction consisted of total task presentation with teacher praise for correct task step performance and a gradually increased…

The paper describes a domestic training environment created through a joint agreement among 10 rural public school districts to teach severely handicapped students domestic skills in a natural and future community environment. Skills checklists and schedules are discussed along with the logisitics and costs of providing the training environment.…

This article presents a matrix model to train individuals with severe handicaps to use language skills in spontaneous language situations. The model takes into account listener preparatory behaviors and contextual variables. The model suggests procedures for efficient training for generalization. (DB)

General case programing can enhance generalization in individuals with severe disabilities. Making the procedure effective involves: considering activities appropriate for general case programing, selecting examples for teaching and probe testing, determining order of presentation of examples, and determining location of instruction. A list of…

Procedures were developed to teach two young children with severe handicaps to get an adult's attention and make a request. Both mastered a routine of getting up, walking over to the adult, and exhibiting appropriate attention-getting behavior after training. Behavior was maintained at a three-week follow-up. (Author/PB)

The first section of this book presents an overview and history of the problem of skill generalization among students with severe handicaps. Researchers review empirically based strategies proposed to remedy the problem, discuss the characteristics and foundations of decision rules which can be used to determine which strategy will work best in a…

The study compared the effectiveness of a traditional training procedure (least-to-most restrictive prompt sequence) and a prescriptive training procedure (utilizing ongoing behavioral assessment data to identify discriminative stimuli) with four severely/multiply handicapped students (ages 11-19). Results indicated both procedures were effective…

The authors sugggest that where in vivo instruction alone is unfeasible, practitioners should employ both training formats concurrently with moderately and severely handicapped students. Five guidelines for making simulated instruction a more effective adjunct to community instruction are discussed. (Author/CL)

Four autistic and severely handicapped children (ages 9-13) were taught to recruit or set the occasion for praise from an adult. After the structured instruction, the children used these behaviors in all generalization settings and were frequently successful in recruiting praise. (Author/DB)

Two students with severe disabilities were alternately presented with interspersed high-compliance requests and social comments as antecedents to low-compliance requests. Analysis found similar positive effects on compliance for interspersed requests and social comments. The effectiveness of social comments was related to the time interval between…