Graduation Year
2024
Document Type
Thesis
Degree
M.S.
Degree Name
Master of Science (M.S.)
Degree Granting Department
Child and Family Studies
Major Professor
P. Catia Cividini-Motta PhD., BCBA-D
Committee Member
Meka McCammon Ph.D., BCBA-D
Committee Member
Heather Zerger Ph.D., BCBA-D
Keywords
Caregiver Training, Mand Training, Picture Exchange Communication System, Video Modeling
Abstract
Individuals diagnosed with developmental disabilities may not develop functional vocal repertoires. For these individuals, the use of an alternative augmentative communication (AAC) system may be required. Training caregivers to use an AAC system with their children can increase communication in the home. The Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) is type of AAC commonly used with individuals that have little to no vocal speech. Video modeling is a training procedure that has been shown to be effective when training individuals to implement behavioral analytic procedures. To date, there is no published research on the use of video modeling to train caregivers to implement the PECS procedures. The purpose of this study was to extend present research by using video modeling to train caregivers to implement the first three phases of the PECS with their children. Additionally, this study evaluated if training caregivers to implement PECS with their children increased mands emitted by their child. Results showed that, following implementation of video modeling, all caregivers reached mastery criteria in each phase of PECS and that skills of two of the three caregivers maintained over time. The results also show an increase in independent manding across all three children after the caregivers were trained to implement the PECS procedures.
Scholar Commons Citation
Lawson, Carlie, "Teaching Caregivers to Implement the Picture Exchange Communication System: An Evaluation of Video Modeling" (2024). USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations.
https://digitalcommons.usf.edu/etd/10524
