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.

Rights Holder

Rebecca Mischuck

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