A Pilot Training Program for Parent-Clinicians

Abstract

Four mothers of children with a variety of communication disorders received training in behavior change techniques at a two-day workshop. The goal was to teach the mothers to use a specific instructional approach which involved an antecedent-behavior-consequence paradigm. For each case, specific child and parental behaviors were determined by a speech pathologist. Follow-up was accomplished by mail and telephone contact. Positive changes occurred in three of the four children over a two- to three-month period. Such an approach should be useful where speech pathology services are limited or where daily treatment is required.