Date of Award
Spring 4-22-2022
Thesis Type
Open Access
Degree Name
Master of Arts in Applied Behavior Analysis and Clinical Science
Department
Health Professions
Committee Member(s)
Dr. Kara Wunderlich
Dr. Stephanie Kincaid
Chandler Pelfrey
Supervising Faculty Member
Dr. Kara Wunderlich
Abstract
Skills assessments are an important component of effective applied behavior analysis services. Rapid skills assessments can help clinicians determine whether an observed skill deficit requires intervention in the form of changing reinforcement contingencies or through teaching. Response prompt assessments determine which prompt type is most effective and efficient for individuals. Both assessments provide a more comprehensive approach to developing effective skill acquisition services. The purpose of this study was to combine the rapid skills and prompt type assessments into one assessment sequence. An adapted alternating treatments design examined the effectiveness of first assessing reinforcement alone; then a response prompt assessment consisting of verbal plus gestural prompts, modeling prompts, and full physical prompts was conducted to determine the most effective prompt. No participant met mastery criteria in the reinforcement alone condition, which indicated that the writing skill deficits were not performance deficits. No participant met mastery criteria in the response prompt assessment, indicating that for these three participants, response prompts were not an effective method for acquiring writing skills. Implications from this research and future research opportunities are discussed.
Recommended Citation
Mischuck, Rebecca, "The Effectiveness of a Skills Assessment Sequence on Evaluating Independent Handwriting" (2022). Thesis Projects. 35.
https://scholarship.rollins.edu/mabacs_thesis/35
Rights Holder
Rebecca Mischuck