Date of Award

12-2006

Degree Name

Master of Arts

Department

Psychology

First Advisor

Dr. Linda LeBlanc

Second Advisor

Dr. Jim Carr

Third Advisor

Dr. Richard Malott

Access Setting

Masters Thesis-Open Access

Abstract

Noncompliance with parental directions is a critical target for children with developmental disabilities for several reasons, including the frequency of the problem and its impact on caregivers. Three decades of research have shown the effectiveness of guided compliance with children with developmental disabilities; however, only a few studies have examined the effects of parent-implemented guided compliance with this population (Handen, Parrish, McClung, Kerwin, & Evans, 1992; Smith & Lerman, 1999; Tarbox, Wallace, & Penrod, 2003). Three children with developmental disabilities and one primary caregiver for each participated in the present study. Parents were trained in three-step guided compliance (i.e., command, gestural prompt, and physical prompt) via a PowerPoint® presentation with embedded video models. They rehearsed the procedure with a confederate until mastery and then implemented it. Results showed that following parent training, all three parents implemented the procedure with a high degree of treatment integrity. The physical prompt step was the most difficult to implement. Children’s compliance levels increased significantly from baseline for 2 of the 3 children. Recommendations regarding the content and format of computerized instruction and clinician-delivered parent training of the guided compliance procedure are discussed.

Included in

Psychology Commons

Share

COinS