Artificial Self-Modeling : A Technique to Establish Vocal Requests in a Child with a Severe Developmental Disability

Abstract

Investigated the establishment of vocal requests in a child with the severe developmental disability of difficulty imitating others' vocal models. Subject (S) in Exp 1 and 2 was a male 6-yr-old with the severe developmental disability in imitating the vocal models of others in Japan. In Conditions A and B, a tape of the sound "DA" was played repeatedly. In Condition A, the S's own "DA" was used, whereas in Condition B, the trainer's "DA" was the model. In condition C, a control procedure, no sound was played back. The results showed that the S's frequency of vocalization of "DA" was highest in Condition A, whereas no differences were found between condition B and C. Exp 2 investigated how to establish vocal requests by using the S's own vocal sounds. S observed himself repeatedly on videotape engaging in a target behavior that the S could not ordinarily perform (artificial self-modeling). After the modeling videotape had been repeatedly shown, the S's behavior was observed in natural settings in which the trainer simply waited (time delay) for the S to produce a vocal request after the S had made a non-vocal request. The results showed that the S acquired functional use of vocal requesting following exposure to the artificial self-modeling and time-delay procedures. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2007 APA )