Acquisition and generalization of social behaviors in language-disabled deaf adolescents.

In the present study, two experiments were conducted in which the effectiveness of a training package was assessed on the acquisition and generalization of five social behaviors with language-disabled and severe language-disabled deaf adolescents. The training package encompassed modeling, self-monitoring, self-reinforcement, and mediator-directed supervision and feedback. Procedures to promote generality of effects and social validity of the procedures were used as well. Target behaviors were Initiating Interaction, Turn Waiting, Keeping to the Subject, Communicating Orally, and Using Correct Sentences. Data were collected within a multiple baseline design across behaviors. Results indicated that the training package was effective in improving the performance of all participants. However, increases in percentage of appropriate target behaviors were more substantial for the language-disabled deaf adolescents than for the severely language-disabled deaf adolescents. Maintenance of effects was demonstrated as well.