Peer intervention effects on communicative interaction among handicapped and nonhandicapped preschoolers

A peer-mediated intervention designed to promote communicative interaction on the part of three language-delayed children was evaluated. Two nonhandicapped preschoolers were taught strategies thought to facilitate interaction and were prompted to use these strategies during free play with three handicapped classmates. The intervention resulted in higher rates of interaction for each of the handicapped children that persisted above baseline levels after teacher prompting was withdrawn.