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The effects of delayed physical prompts and reinforcement on infant sign language acquisition
Rachel H Thompson1, Paige M McKerchar, Kelly A Dancho
1Department of Human Development, University of Kansas, Lawrence, 66045, USA. rthomps@ku.edu
Abstract:
Researchers and clinicians have recommended that sign language be taught to typically developing children during their first 2 years of life; however, existing research does not provide adequate information regarding appropriate methods of sign training. We used delayed physical prompting and reinforcement to teach manual signs to 3 children between the ages of 6 and 13 months. Data were collected on the occurrence of prompted and independent signs as well as crying. Sign training was successful in producing independent signing in all 3 children in under 4 hr of training per child.
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