Using a Prerequisite Skills Assessment to Identify Optimal Modalities for Mand Training

Area of Science:

• Behavioral science
• Applied behavior analysis
• Developmental psychology

Background:

• Mand training is crucial for language development in children.
• Selecting the most effective communication modality is key for successful intervention.
• Prerequisite skills may influence the acquisition rate of communication behaviors.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate a brief prerequisite assessment's ability to predict mand training effectiveness.
• To compare the efficacy and efficiency of sign, picture exchange, and vocal modalities for mand acquisition.
• To inform the selection of optimal response modalities in early communication interventions.

Main Methods:

• A brief prerequisite assessment was administered to participants.
• Mand training was conducted using sign, picture exchange, and vocal modalities.
• Effectiveness and rate of acquisition were measured for each modality.

Main Results:

• Picture exchange was the most effective and efficient modality for mand acquisition.
• Vocalizations were the least effective modality overall.
• The prerequisite assessment accurately predicted that vocalizations would be less effective unless two-syllable vocal imitation was intact.

Conclusions:

• A brief prerequisite assessment is a valuable tool for predicting success in different mand training modalities.
• Picture exchange is a highly effective initial choice for mand training.
• Individual prerequisite skills significantly impact the success of specific communication modalities, particularly vocalizations.