Comparison of computer based instruction to behavior skills training for teaching staff implementation of discrete-trial instruction with an adult with autism

• Published in: Research in developmental disabilities Vol. 34; no. 1; pp. 461 - 468
• Main Authors: Nosik, Melissa R., Williams, W. Larry, Garrido, Natalia, Lee, Sarah
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier Ltd 01.01.2013; Elsevier
• Subjects: Adult; Adults; Autism; Autistic Disorder - rehabilitation; Behavior Modification; Behavior skills training; Biological and medical sciences; Child clinical studies; Comparative Analysis; Competence; Computer Assisted Instruction; Computer based; Computer based instruction; Computer-Assisted Instruction - methods; Developmental disorders; Discrete trial; Education, Special - methods; Education, Special - organization & administration; Educational Technology; Feedback; Feedback (Response); Feedback, Psychological; Female; Humans; Infantile autism; Instructional Effectiveness; Male; Medical sciences; Program Evaluation; Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry; Psychopathology. Psychiatry; Rehearsal; Research Assistants; Researcher-Subject Relations; Skill Development; Skills training; Staff Development - methods; Staff Development - organization & administration; Teaching; Teaching - methods; Training; Video Technology; Videotape Recording - methods; Young Adult; Training; Behavior skills training; Discrete trial; Computer based instruction; Human; Developmental disorder; Instruction; Implementation; Autism; Skill; Adult; Computer assisted teaching; Behavior; Computer aid; Comparative study
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ridd.2012.08.011
• ISSN: 0891-4222; 1873-3379

The above figure is of the group of 3 participants that received behavior skills training. The data points represent the percent correct of the trainers’ performance on every trial of discrete trial implementation. The black data points are performance with a trained research assistant and the grey data points are performance with a client in the natural environment. All participants achieved high levels of treatment integrity that maintained high levels even during the 6-week probes. The above figure is of the group of 3 participants that received computer based training. The data points represent the percent correct of the trainers’ performance on every trial of discrete trial implementation. The black data points are performance with a trained research assistant and the grey data points are performance with a client in the natural environment. You will see that the computer based instruction yielded much lower percent correct performances during 6-week probes. Additionally, the highest scores during training occurred when the learner responded independently and required no error correction. [Display omitted] ► Effectiveness of behavior skills training compared to computer based instruction. ► Difference in treatment integrity in training versus natural environment. ► Extends literature to compare two empirically validated training methods. ► BST group performed better than those in the computer based training group. ► Differences between research assistant and natural environment competency. In the current study, behavior skills training (BST) is compared to a computer based training package for teaching discrete trial instruction to staff, teaching an adult with autism. The computer based training package consisted of instructions, video modeling and feedback. BST consisted of instructions, modeling, rehearsal and feedback. Following training, participants were evaluated in terms of their accuracy on completing critical skills for running a discrete trial program. Six participants completed training; three received behavior skills training and three received the computer based training. Participants in the BST group performed better overall after training and during six week probes than those in the computer based training group. There were differences across both groups between research assistant and natural environment competency levels.