ACQUISITION AND GENERALIZATION OF SOCIAL BEHAVIORS IN LANGUAGE-DISABLED DEAF ADOLESCENTS

In the present study, two experiments were conducted in which the effe ctiveness of a training package was assessed on the acquisition and ge neralization of five social behaviors with language-disabled and sever e language-disabled deaf adolescents. The training package encompassed modeling, self-monitoring, self-reinforcement, and mediator-directed supervision and feedback. Procedures to promote generality of effects and social validity of the procedures were used as well. Target behavi ors were Initiating Interaction, Turn Waiting, Keeping to the Subject, Communicating Orally, and Using Correct Sentences. Data were collecte d within a multiple baseline design across behaviors. Results indicate d that the training package was effective in improving the performance of all participants. However, increases in percentage of appropriate target behaviors were more substantial for the language-disabled deaf adolescents than for the severely language-disabled deaf adolescents. Maintenance of effects was demonstrated as well.