Augmenting visual analysis in single-case research with hierarchical linear modeling.

The purpose of this article is to demonstrate how hierarchical linear modeling (HLM) can be used to enhance visual analysis of single-case research (SCR) designs. First, the authors demonstrated the use of growth modeling via HLM to augment visual analysis of a sophisticated single-case study. Data were used from a delayed multiple baseline design, across groups of participants, with an embedded changing criterion design in a single-case literacy project for students with moderate intellectual disabilities (MoID).

Using simultaneous prompting to teach independent living and leisure skills to adults with severe intellectual disabilities.

The acquisition of independent living and leisure skills enables adults to experience an enhanced quality of life by increasing competence, self-reliance, and the development of autonomy. This study examined the effectiveness of simultaneous prompting to teach behavior chains (i.e.

Effects of error correction during assessment probes on the acquisition of sight words for students with moderate intellectual disabilities.

Simultaneous prompting is an errorless learning strategy designed to reduce the number of errors students make; however, research has shown a disparity in the number of errors students make during instructional versus probe trials. This study directly examined the effects of error correction versus no error correction during probe trials on the effectiveness and efficiency of simultaneous prompting on the acquisition of sight words by three middle school students with moderate intellectual disabilities. A single-case adapted alternating treatments (Sindelar, Rosenberg, & Wilson, 1985) embedded in a multiple baseline across word sets design was employed to examine the effects of error correction during probe trials in order to reduce error rates.

Teaching the reading of connected text through sight-word instruction to students with moderate intellectual disabilities.

Sight-word instruction is the most common method of reading instruction for students with Moderate Intellectual Disabilities reported in the research literature. The purpose of this study was to go beyond instruction of single word units to instruction of multiple-word phrases. This study demonstrated the instruction of reading and comprehending individual words and connected text through the use of simultaneous prompting.

Using simultaneous prompting to teach sounds and blending skills to students with moderate intellectual disabilities.

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of simultaneous prompting on acquisition of letter-sound correspondences and blending skills of previously taught words for three elementary students with moderate intellectual disabilities, and to measure generalization of those skills to untaught words. The three students were first taught to read five nouns using sight-word instruction. After acquisition of the five words the students were taught letter-sound correspondences and to blend the sounds in order to apply word-analysis skills.

Concept mastery routines to teach social skills to elementary children with high functioning autism.

Children with autism are included in general education classrooms for exposure to appropriate social models; however, simply placing children with autism with typical peers is insufficient for promoting desired gains in social skills. A multiple baseline design was used to explore the effects of concept mastery routines (CMR) on social skills for four elementary-age boys with high functioning autism. Visual and non-parametric analyses support the conclusion that small group instruction with typical peers via the CMR was effective for increasing responses, initiations, and recognition of emotional states.

Generalized use of a handheld prompting system.

This study determined the effectiveness of a commercially produced handheld computer, as a prompting system in facilitating the generalization and increasing the probability of long-term maintenance of vocational skills by adolescents with moderate intellectual disabilities. Four students successfully used the system in learning a task and then generalized the use of the prompting system to complete increasingly more complex tasks. Task performance was maintained at a 100% level for up to 9 weeks.

Use of static picture prompts versus video modeling during simulation instruction.

The purpose of this study was to compare the effectiveness and efficiency of static picture prompts and video modeling as classroom simulation strategies in combination with in vivo community instruction. Students with moderate intellectual disabilities were instructed in the tasks of withdrawing money from an ATM and purchasing items using a debit card. Both simulation strategies were effective and efficient at teaching the skills.

An investigation of instructional scheduling arrangements for community-based instruction.

The instructional scheduling arrangements of simulated and community-based instruction across an equivalent set of functional and vocational skills were examined. Five secondary age students with moderate intellectual disabilities participated in four instructional scheduling arrangements measuring skill acquisition, generalization, and maintenance of functional tasks. The four instructional scheduling arrangements examined were simulated-only instruction (SOI), community-based instruction only (CBI), combination of SOI and CBI on consecutive school days (CCD), and combination of SOI and CBI on the same school day (CSD).