Date of Award

8-1-2011

Degree Name

Master of Science

Department

Behavior Analysis and Therapy

First Advisor

Dixon, Mark

Abstract

The purpose of paper is to describe a rationale for training staff who work with others with disabilities to use Assistive Technology devices. Current literature describes reasons that Augmentative and Alternative Communication devices are not used based on cost, satisfaction, and difficulty in evaluation. Devices are often abandoned due to ineffective training and increased response effort to operate the device. Previous research on training others to use AT devices is reviewed. A popular behavioral perspective continues to be Behavioral Skills Training. By comparing BST to other common methods of device set up, the current study demonstrates the effectiveness of a BST package.

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