Section 4 Implementing Teaching Strategies

Section Four: Implementing Naturalistic Approaches

Overview

• Selma works with Josef, under the guidance of Loretta, a BCBA, to implement naturalistic interventions.

• Goals, teaching targets, methods for intervention, and data collection strategies are finalized and shared with Selma.

• Importance of understanding that naturalistic interventions are often more complex than structured interventions like discrete trials.

Challenges of Implementation

• Maintaining focus on eliciting target responses while ensuring activities are reinforcing and enjoyable can be difficult.

• Selma appreciates the detailed walk-through given by Loretta for proper implementation.

Reinforcer Assessment

Importance

• Critical to identify what motivates an individual before starting ABA interventions.

• Regular reinforcer assessments help mitigate issues related to changing motivations and decrease problem behaviors.

Methods for Identifying Reinforcers

• Informational Interview:

  • Asking learners directly what they like, using guiding questions like "What is your favorite time of the day?"

• Caregiver Interview:

  • Asking caregivers about the learner's preferences, useful for non-verbal individuals.

• Free Operant:

  • Observing individuals in environments with access to various reinforcing items or activities.

• Single Stimulus Preference Assessments:

  • Allowing individuals to engage with items one at a time until they disengage.

• Multiple Stimulus with Replacement (MSW):

  • Similar to Multiple Stimulus Without Replacement (MSWO) but keeps selected items in the array.

• Period Stimulus:

  • Comparing a highly preferred item with a less preferred one to assess preferences.

Preparing the Environment

Importance of Environment

• Proper setup of the environment can enhance learning opportunities and interventions.

Types of Activities to Include

• Learner Directed: Following the learner's interests.

• Routines: Incorporating daily routines like snack time for teaching targets.

• Planned Activities: Pre-planning games or tasks centered around skill practice.

Ideas for Eliciting Skills

• Using toys with multiple components, role-playing with dolls or puppets, and activities requiring turn-taking.

Preparing the Interventionists

• A range of individuals (parents, teachers, peers) may serve as interventionists, promoting generalization across settings.

• Knowing the target skills, teaching techniques, and strategies is crucial for all involved in the intervention.

Implementation Process

• The learner is introduced, and interventionists begin to elicit target behaviors following the child’s lead.

• Use of unobtrusive prompts is important to ensure engagement without overwhelming the learner.

• Importance of providing verbal feedback relevant to the activity during exercises to reinforce learning.

Naturalistic Intervention Session Example

• Selma's first session with Josef involved active play and reinforcement strategies.

• Activities included jumping on a trampoline and using verbal prompts tied to actions, such as modeling sounds and behaviors.

Data Collection

Challenges

• Various factors must be recorded to understand the effectiveness of the intervention and the context in which behaviors occur.

Information to Collect

• Target behaviors, level of prompts needed, activities or routines used, and date/time of behaviors.

Methods of Collection

• Utilizing electronic apps, videotaping sessions, or structured data collection forms are effective for capturing necessary data.

Evaluating Success

• Important reflective questions include:

  • Did the learner engage quickly?

  • How did they respond to embedded reinforcements?

  • Were off-task behaviors present?

• Selma reflects positively on Josef’s engagement and responses during their session, which motivates her to continue using naturalistic strategies.