Abstracts Category : Other

Comparing the efficacy of picture card stimuli to storybook stimuli in teaching morphologic structures to children with expressive language disorders

by Samantha R Ramirez

The purpose of this research study was to investigate the efficacy of discrete trial teaching (DTT) using picture card stimuli compared to DTT using storybook stimuli in teaching morphologic structures to children with expressive language disorders. One 7-year-old female child met the inclusion criteria and participated in the study. The author conducted an alternating research design between DTT using picture card stimuli and DTT using storybook stimuli with two separate target behaviors: irregular past tense verbs (experiment 1) and irregular plurals (experiment 2). The results indicated that DTT using both types of stimuli were effective, with little difference in the relative efficacy of DTT delivered with picture cards compared to DTT delivered with storybook stimuli. Results of probes for generalization and maintenance indicated that the participant was able to retain the targeted irregular past tense verbs and irregular plurals. Future research should be conducted to determine if the complexity of storybooks and the number of opportunities provided to evoke the targeted word or behavior would display any significant gains in favor of DTT embedded in storybook stimuli as opposed to DTT using picture stimuli.Advisors/Committee Members: Maul, Christine (advisor), Roberts, Stephen (committeeMember).