The following studies examined the effectiveness and the efficiency of individual and small group equivalence-based instruction on English and math relations with elementary school children. The first experiment implemented a multiple-probe design across three typically developing third graders using an automated procedure to evaluate the stimulus equivalence paradigm (SEP) on establishing English and math equivalence classes. Since some researchers have proposed that covert behavior facilitates in the formation of equivalence classes (Horne & Lowe, 1996; Stromer, Mackay, & Remington, 1996), the second experiment examined the possible role of covert behavior, more specifically, a visual imagining strategy, on correct responding after remedial instructional sessions. To further extend SEP into more academic environments, the third experiment used an observational learning procedure to evaluate the formation of English and math symmetry relations as well as the formation of equivalence classes in a small group format. The emergence of topography-based responding was also assessed after instruction for all three experiments.

Behavioral skills training (BST) has been widely used to effectively and quickly instruct learners with limited knowledge in behavior analytic skills. A training package composed of didactic instruction presented via PowerPoint, modeling, rehearsal, feedback and in vivo components were utilized to instruct two mothers of children with autism spectrum disorders to deliver learning trials with their child to contrive MOs to increase their manding repertoires. A multiple probe across participants design was used to assess the effects of BST on the participant's performance. Prior to the beginning of the study, participants were instructed to systematically identify child's reinforcers by delivering a paired choice preference assessment. Mothers were involved in choosing the manding targets used in the child's instruction. BST was effective in demonstrating rapid acquisition of skills taught to both mothers compared to baseline performances. Although child's behavior increased over pretest measures, it did not improve significantly due variable responding. Time constraints and child's excessive variable responding lead to termination of the study.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of the procedures described in the PEAK-E curriculum in generating derived intraverbal categorization responses in both a vocal categorization context and written problem-solving context, replicated across three children with disabilities. Six four-member equivalence classes were taught, including three class member stimuli (A, B, and C) as well as one function class name (D), using a match-to-sample arrangement. These classes were divided into two stimulus sets (i.e., classes 1-3 and classes 4-6) and trained using pre-class (D-C training followed by mixed A-B/B-C training) and post-class formations (Mixed A-B/B-C training followed by D-C training). The procedures were efficacious in generating derived intraverbal categorization responses for one participant in a vocal context, and additional exemplar training was required for the emergence of vocal categorization responses in the other two participants. None of the participants were able to solve the written problem-solving tasks following training and testing of all target relations.

SPOP paired with multiple exemplar instruction has been shown to be effective with typically developing preschoolers in establishing the joint stimulus control required for the development of naming (Rosales et al., 2012). The purpose of the current investigation is to evaluate the effectiveness and efficiency of the stimulus pairing observation procedure in establishing speaker and listener responses with children with developmental disabilities. Participants were presented with pairings of an auditory and visual stimulus. Testing was conducted after the instructional phase to assess if the participant could tact the item when presented with the picture as well as select the object from an array when given the name of the object. If the participants did not meet mastery criteria during posttests, a multiple exemplar procedure (MEI) was implemented to examine its efficacy in establishing the joint stimulus control of the speaker and listener responses. Following multiple exemplar instruction, testing was conducted. The results of the current investigation show that the SPOP in combination with MEI was effective in establishing both the listener and tact relations for all three participants.

The PEAK Relational Training System's Direct Training Module was examined to determine age appropriate development norm ages in which to compare to persons with disabilities. Fifty-one typically developing children between ages of 2-18 were scored for the PEAK direct training assessment module by novel implementers (parents, caregivers) as well as professional educational teachers and administrators. Assessment implementation brought scores from fourteen different adult individuals and fifty-one different children's assessment forms for this study. The inter-rater reliability showed consistency of results with the relationship between Peak and age. Inter-rater agreement had a high degree of agreement through the same age, male or female, grade levels with student assessments on the PEAK rating pyramid. These subjective reports may be related and have one advantage that data results may be displayed conveniently in graphical form. The results suggest that there was no correlation between PEAK Total Scores and sex with R-Squared of .49, and produced a significant fit to the data (p < .001). Total PEAK by Age Group with an One Way Anova being: F(4,45) = 23.57, p < .001 suggest that the differences between ages in terms of PEAK total Score was significant.

The present study evaluated the validity and efficacy of the Promoting the Emergence of Advanced Knowledge Relational Training System Equivalence Module (PEAK-E) using a single-case, multiple baseline across skills design with 3 adolescents with autism. Total scores from the PEAK-E assessment (PEAK-E-A) and programs were used to evaluate the degree to which the assessment was able to identify language skills to teach using the PEAK-E curriculum, and how effective the PEAK-E curriculum was at teaching those target skills. Baseline results suggested that the programs selected using the PEAK-E-A were not currently in the participant’s language repertoire. Upon completion of 9 total programs across three participants (3 programs per participant), mastery was achieved and all derived relations emerged for all 9 programs. The PEAK-E pre-assessment, assessment, and training programs were proven to be valid and efficacious at improving participant’s language skill repertoire. Keywords: autism, applied behavior analysis, verbal behavior, derived relational responding, stimulus equivalence, PEAK

The problem with which this study is concerned is to examine whether relationships can be identified between a counselor's change in verbal and physiological responses when subjected to low-stress and high-stress producing counseling encounters. It was concluded that under high-stress as opposed to low-stress conditions 1) counselors' heart-rates increase and become more variable; 2) counselors' levels of verbal effectiveness are relatively uninfluenced; and 3) no consistent and predictable relationship can be identified between counselors' verbal and physiological functioning. Caution is strongly advised in generalizing to subjects separate from this study.

Submitted by MAÍSA KICH GRECCO null (maisakg@bol.com.br) on 2016-03-23T13:56:53Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertação Maísa Kich Grecco.pdf: 2876385 bytes, checksum: 386e37f57cf8947da28a13b9dd7efb66 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Ana Paula Grisoto (grisotoana@reitoria.unesp.br) on 2016-03-24T14:28:39Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 grecco_mk_me_bauru.pdf: 2876385 bytes, checksum: 386e37f57cf8947da28a13b9dd7efb66 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-03-24T14:28:39Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 grecco_mk_me_bauru.pdf: 2876385 bytes, checksum: 386e37f57cf8947da28a13b9dd7efb66 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-02-16 / O ouvinte, se bem treinado, pode fornecer estímulos discriminativos e reforçadores para respostas do falante. No entanto, também pode emitir comportamentos supressores do comportamento verbal. Nos casos de deficiência auditiva, os pais podem ter dificuldade em estimular o comportamento verbal ainda que a privação sonora seja superada pelo implante coclear, pois ouvir e se comunicar oralmente requer aprendizagem. Considerando a importância do treino de pais enquanto audiência para estabelecimento do comportamento verbal de falante de crianças com deficiência auditiva, o presente estudo objetivou ampliar o repertório comportamental de ensino de operantes verbais de mães de crianças com deficiência auditiva e implante coclear por um programa instrucional desenvolvido para esse fim; e verificar se este programa aumentou a frequência de emissão de operantes verbais por seus filhos considerando a qualidade da produção oral. Participaram duas crianças de idades entre cinco e sete anos com deficiência auditiva neurossensorial pré-lingual e usuárias de implante coclear e suas mães. Foram avaliados comportamentos de ensino de comportamento verbal emitidos pelas mães e operantes verbais emitidos pelas crianças antes e após a intervenção, de acordo com um delineamento de linha de base múltipla entre participantes. Um questionário sondou comportamentos com função de antecedente e consequente emitidos pelas mães para os operantes verbais ecoico, tato, mando e intraverbal emitidos pelos filhos. As crianças foram avaliadas nos mesmos operantes verbais em tentativas discretas. O programa instruiu as mães a fornecer antecedentes e consequentes para operantes verbais emitidos pelos filhos. Os resultados compararam o número de operantes verbais identificados pelas mães e de comportamentos de ensino desses, antes e após a intervenção, e as produções orais das crianças. Foi observado um aumento no relato de comportamentos de ensino das duas mães após a intervenção para a maioria dos operantes verbais, fornecendo mais antecedentes e consequentes. Nas produções orais das crianças, observou-se uma fala mais precisa logo após as mães realizaram a intervenção. Pode-se sugerir que ampliar o repertório de ensino de operantes verbais das mães afeta positivamente a fala de seus filhos. Estudos futuros devem refinar esse programa enquanto tecnologia de ensino aplicável em escala maior. / The listener, if well trained, can provide discriminative and reinforcing stimuli to the speaker's answers. However, it can also issue suppressing behaviors of verbal behavior. In cases of hearing impairment, parents can find it difficult to stimulate verbal behavior although the sound deprivation is overcome by the cochlear implant because listen and communicate orally requires learning. Considering the importance of parent training as a hearing to establish the verbal behavior of children with hearing impairment speaker, this study aimed to extend the behavioral repertoire of verbal operant teaching of mothers of children with hearing loss and cochlear implants for an instructional program developed for this purpose; and verify that this program has increased the frequency of verbal operant by their children considering the quality of oral production. They included two children aged five and seven years with sensorineural hearing impairment before language and users of cochlear implants and their mothers. They were evaluated behaviors verbal behavior teaching issued by mothers and verbal operant issued by the children before and after the intervention, according to a line of delineation of multiple base among participants. A questionnaire probed behavior with a history of function and consequent issued by mothers to the echoic verbal operant, touch, command and intraverbal issued for the children. The children were evaluated in the same verbal operant in discrete trial. The program instructed mothers to provide antecedents and consequences for verbal operant issued for the children. The results compared the number of verbal operant identified by mothers and teaching these behaviors before and after the intervention, and the utterances of children. Reporting an increase in learning behavior of two mothers after surgery to most verbal operant was observed, providing more antecedents and consequences. The utterances of children, there was a more accurate speech soon after mothers underwent intervention. May be considered that expanding the verbal operant mothers teaching repertoire positively affects speech of their children. Future studies should refine the program as applicable learning technology on a larger scale.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-06-02T20:30:57Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 5548.pdf: 2782961 bytes, checksum: bb6ea89e12e9a695bd3ad03dc04175a0 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013-08-28 / Financiadora de Estudos e Projetos / Arbitrary stimuli can be related through conditional discrimination, via procedure Matching-tosample. The procedure can also establish equivalent relations emerge when relations were not directly taught. Such relationships must share three properties: reflexivity, symmetry and transitivity. Authors propose that success in establishing stimulus classes stems from the possibility of appointment by the participant. Among the possibilities to define "name", two stand out in this work: as Tact, towards an object in the environment the person issues an oral word; or as a higher order behavioral relation and bidirectional combining conventional functions of speech and listener. Taking into account the studies presented by both proposals, there appears to be evidence to prove that the appointment is necessary for the establishment of equivalence classes. Therefore, it is important to study participants who have incipient verbal repertoire to test the relationships of verbal behavior in the establishment of conditional discriminations and arbitrary stimulus classes. This study aims to determine the relationship between the verbal repertoire and the acquisition of conditional discriminations in babies up to 30 months old. This was done / assessments will be carried language development of participants through the Denver II and Operational Portage Inventory. Five teaching conditional discrimination procedures and tests of naming and equivalence were conducted with thirteen participants from 13 to 28 months. The verbal repertoire of these participants were classified according to the Skinner s taxonomy, and were also recorded behaviors listener and follow rules during teaching sessions and moments of free play. As a result, it was observed that all babies emitted echoic, tact and mands during session, eight participants learned the conditional discrimination proposals, all they learned discrimination vocalized the names of the experimental stimuli at some point, five participants underwent tests of symmetry and transitivity with familiar stimuli, two participants tested, none passed tests of equivalence. This indicates that the conditional discrimination learning depends on methodological aspects employees; verbal behavior, including the appointment of the names used in teaching auditoryvisual discrimination, can facilitate this learning. However, there is still no conclusive data on the need of the ability of appointment to the establishment of equivalence classes of stimuli. / Estímulos arbitrários podem ser relacionados através de discriminações condicionais, via procedimento Matching-to-sample. O procedimento também pode estabelecer relações equivalentes quando emergem relações que não foram diretamente ensinadas. Tais relações devem compartilhar três propriedades: reflexividade, simetria e transitividade. Autores propõem que o sucesso no estabelecimento de classes de estímulos advém da possibilidade de nomeação pelo participante. Dentre as possibilidades de definir Nomear , duas se sobressaem neste trabalho: como Tato, ou seja, emitir oralmente uma palavra diante de um referente; como uma relação comportamental de ordem superior e bidirecional que combina as funções convencionais de fala e audição. Levando em consideração os estudos apresentados por ambas as propostas, parece não existir evidências que comprovem que a nomeação é necessária para o estabelecimento de classes de equivalência. Portanto, é importante estudar participantes que possuam repertório verbal incipiente para testar as relações do comportamento verbal no estabelecimento de discriminações condicionais e classes de estímulos arbitrários. O presente trabalho tem como objetivo verificar a relação entre o repertório verbal e a aquisição de discriminações condicionais em bebês de até 30 meses de idade. Para tal, foram feitas avaliações de desenvolvimento de linguagem dos participantes por meio do Denver II e Inventário Portage Operacionalizado. Cinco delineamentos de ensino de discriminações condicionais e testes de nomeação e equivalência foram realizados com treze participantes de 13 a 28 meses; o repertório verbal desses participantes foi classificado de acordo com a taxonomia de Skinner, e também foram contabilizados comportamentos de ouvinte e de seguir regras durante as sessões de ensino e em momentos de brincadeira livre. Como resultados, observou-se que todos os bebês emitiam ecoicos, tatos e mandos em sessão; oito participantes aprenderam as discriminações condicionais propostas; todos que aprenderam as discriminações vocalizaram os nomes experimentais dos estímulos em algum momento; cinco participantes passaram em testes de simetria e transitividade com estímulos familiares; de dois participantes testados, nenhum passou em testes de equivalência. Com isso, conclui-se que a aprendizagem de discriminações condicionais depende de aspectos metodológicos empregados; que o comportamento verbal, inclusive a nomeação de nomes usados no ensino de discriminações auditivo-visuais, pode facilitar essas aprendizagens. Porém, ainda não há dados conclusivos sobre a necessidade da habilidade de nomeação para o estabelecimento de classes de equivalência de estímulos.

Submitted by Bruna Rodrigues (bruna92rodrigues@yahoo.com.br) on 2017-10-03T13:23:05Z No. of bitstreams: 1 TeseMCCM.pdf: 4302375 bytes, checksum: b35a785ffde6e9fac0ef29ac58d61c15 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Ronildo Prado (bco.producao.intelectual@gmail.com) on 2018-01-29T16:17:45Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 TeseMCCM.pdf: 4302375 bytes, checksum: b35a785ffde6e9fac0ef29ac58d61c15 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Ronildo Prado (bco.producao.intelectual@gmail.com) on 2018-01-29T16:18:01Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 TeseMCCM.pdf: 4302375 bytes, checksum: b35a785ffde6e9fac0ef29ac58d61c15 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2018-01-29T16:26:57Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 TeseMCCM.pdf: 4302375 bytes, checksum: b35a785ffde6e9fac0ef29ac58d61c15 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2017-02-06 / Não recebi financiamento / The Verbal Behavior Milestones Assessment and Placement Program (VB-MAPP) authored by Mark Sundberg provides a systematic assessment for children with autism and similar delays and has become a frequent tool among those who gives consultations in this área. Divided into five components, the VB-MAPP evaluates samples of the child’s verbal repertoire from 170 developmental milestones presented in three levels (0 -18 months, 18-30 months and 30-48). The aim of this study was to translate and adapt the VB-MAPP to the Portuguese language and propose a way to qualify professionals to implement it properly. Study 1 translated and adapted to Portuguese Chapters 1 to 6 and the corresponding protocol scoring form. Study 2 tested the effect of a Behavioral Skill Training to improve the performance of the professionals in conducting the VB-MAPP. Items from a list of skills were used to measure the performance of each participant in specific tasks (Level 1, 2 and 3) of this assessment tool. The study consisted of three phases: pretest, training and posttest. Ten participants were divided into two groups: control and experimental. Both groups performed the pretest and posttest, but the training was only mandatory for the experimental group. In the pretest phase all participants received the Portuguese version of The VBMAPP and had to assess one child each. Training phase was composed of a BST package (instruction, modeling, reharsal and feedback). Only Level 1 and 2 tasks were taught. Both groups repeated the assessment in the posttest phase, however, the experimental group had an additional task: implementing the Level 3 tasks of the VB -MAPP. Still in the posttest phase, two participants (P3 and P6), presenting lower overall performances than the other participants of the experimental group, were selected for five additional posttest sessions. The results showed that all participants in the experimental group developed skills to implement The VB-MAPP regarding Level 1 and 2 tasks. About the performance of the experimental group in Level 3 tasks, it was possible to say that generalization occurred for some, but not all behaviors. The results were higher than the pretests, but lower when compared to the Level 1 and 2 tasks. Among the factors that may have contributed to this partial result we highlight: (1) Level 3 tasks are more complex than the Levels 1 and 2 and may require evaluators with more experience (2) only some milestones were selected for Level 3 testing and not all of them. As for participants P3 and P6, after a total of six posttest viii sessions, they maintained the percentage of correct answers higher than 90% for Level 1 and 2 tasks and 85% for Level 3 tasks. / O Verbal Behavior Milestones Assessment and Placement Program (VB-MAPP) de autoria de Mark L. Sundberg oferece uma avaliação sistematizada para crianças autistas ou com atrasos similares e se tornou um instrumento de uso frequente entre aqueles que planejam e implementam atendimentos nessa área. Dividido em cinco componentes, o VB-MAPP avalia uma amostra do repertório verbal da criança a partir de 170 marcos de desenvolvimento que são apresentados em três níveis (0 -18 meses; 18-30 meses e 30-48). O objetivo do presente trabalho foi realizar a tradução e adaptação do VB-MAPP para o português, bem como, propôr uma forma de capacitar profissionais para implementá-lo adequadamente. O Estudo 1 traduziu e adaptou para o português o VB-MAPP manual capítulos 1 ao 6 e o protocolo de registro correspondente. As etapas envolveram a participação de dois tradutores independentes, avaliação de especialistas e estudo piloto. O Estudo 2 testou o efeito de um treino de habilidades comportamentais (Behavioral Skill Training- BST) para aprimorar o desempenho de profissionais da área da pedagogia e psicologia na implementação do VB-MAPP. A variável dependente foi a porcentagem de acertos de uma lista de itens, chamada de Avaliação de Desempenho, que serviu de parâmetro para mensurar as habilidades de avaliador dos participantes em tarefas de Nível 1, 2 e 3 do VB-MAPP. O estudo foi composto por 3 fases: pré-teste, treinamento e pós-teste. Dez participantes foram divididos em dois grupos: controle e experimental. Ambos os grupos particiaram da fase de pré-teste e pós- teste, porém, o treinamento foi obrigatório para o grupo experimental. Na fase do pré -teste todos receberam a versão adaptada para o português do VB-MAPP e cada participante avaliou uma criança. Depois, somente o grupo experimental passou pela fase de treinamento, sendo exposto a um pacote BST. O BST, composto por instrução, modelação, ensaio e feedback, foi a variável independente Somente habilidades de Nível 1 e 2 foram ensinadas. Na fase do pós -teste os dois grupos repetiram a avaliação do pré-teste com a mesma criança, porém, o grupo experimental teve uma tarefa adicional: implementar tarefas de Nível 3 do VB MAPP não ensinadas durante o treinamento. Nessa etapa foi observado a eficácia do treinamento em promover generalização das habilidades de avaliador para as tarefas de Nível 3. Ainda na fase de pósteste, dois participantes (P3 e P6), apresentando desempenhos gerais inferiores aos outros vi participantes do grupo experimental, foram selecionados para 05 sessões adicionais de pósteste e avaliaram novas crianças. Os resultados do primeiro pós-teste mostraram que todos os participantes do grupo experimental desenvolveram as habilidades de avaliador esperadas para implementar o VB-MAPP depois do treinamento, indicando a eficácia do BST. Em relação ao desempenho nas tarefas de Nível 3, foi possível dizer que ocorreu generalização para alguns comportamentos, mas não todos. Os resultados foram superiores aos do pré – teste, mas inferiores quando comparados com os desempenhos de Nível 1 e 2. Entre os fatores que podem ter contribuído para esse resultado parcial destacamos: (1) as tarefas de Nível 3 são mais complexas que as dos Níveis 1 e 2 e podem exigir avaliadores com maior experiência nesse tipo de tarefa (2) apenas alguns itens ou marcos foram selecionados para a testagem do Nível 3 e não a totalidade deles. Quanto aos participantes P3 e P6, após um total de seis sessões de pós- teste, mantiveram a porcentagem de acertos superior a 90% nas tarefas de Nível 1 e 2 e 85% de acertos nas tarefas de Nível 3.