Date of Award
8-1-2015
Degree Name
Master of Science
Department
Behavior Analysis and Therapy
First Advisor
Ringdahl, Joel
Abstract
Maintenance of staff training continues to be problematic at agencies that serve individuals with developmental disabilities, due to high client to staff ratios, staff turnover and lack of time and resources for training. The purpose of this study was to find a refresher method that staff could independently access that would be effective, as well as convenient and non-aversive. Seven staff participants at a day program for adults with developmental disabilities were trained on two client intervention plans using a Behavioral Skills Training (BST) method. Each group was given follow-up training: one group received a video refresher; one utilized flashcards and one served as the control group. All participants increased correct responses after BST training. While all participants also maintained a higher percentage of correct responses after maintenance training, all of the video and one of the flashcard group participants exhibited higher scores in the last few months of the study than did the control group. Participant surveys revealed that the videos were the most preferred method of maintenance training; participants thought they would be most likely to independently access videos over flashcards, if the resources were made available.
Access
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