TRAINING ALTERNATIVE CARE-GIVERS TO USE BEHAVIOUR MODIFICATION TECHNIQUES WITH AUTISTIC CHILDREN

Abstract

The study examines the effects of a training programme for alternative care-givers of autistic children. A sequential, multiple baseline designed was employed with three phases: Baseline, Training and Home Teaching. Subjects were three foreign maids who were the primary alternative care-givers of the children. The training combined analog (discrete trial format) and NLP methods. The programme focused on teaching specific skills to deal with issues faced by each child. These were generally related to developing communications and language, reducing behavioural problems and increasing self-help skills. Maids were assessed on acquisition of skills and generalisation across setting and task. Children were assessed on task performance, compliance off-task behaviours and language and communication. Maids showed significant increase in acquisition of DTF and NLP skills, however, did not demonstrate and ability to generalise across settings and tasks, and did not show maintenance. Child scores showed greater significant increases on some outcome measures (task performance, compliance, off-task behaviour) than communication and language. Overall results suggest a possibility of implementing the maid training programme in order to complement special education and parent training programme.