Training Paraeducators to Promote Communication Opportunities for Students with Complex Communication Needs

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Bibliographic Details
Title: Training Paraeducators to Promote Communication Opportunities for Students with Complex Communication Needs
Language: English
Authors: Eric J. Anderson (ORCID 0000-0001-9688-4135), Matthew E. Brock (ORCID 0000-0001-7197-2120), Kara N. Shawbitz (ORCID 0000-0001-8585-0466)
Source: Journal of Behavioral Education. 2025 34(3):621-633.
Availability: Springer. Available from: Springer Nature. One New York Plaza, Suite 4600, New York, NY 10004. Tel: 800-777-4643; Tel: 212-460-1500; Fax: 212-460-1700; e-mail: customerservice@springernature.com; Web site: https://link.springer.com/
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 13
Publication Date: 2025
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Descriptors: Teacher Aides, Teacher Education, Training, Communication Skills, Special Needs Students, Behavior Modification, Instruction, Autism Spectrum Disorders, Teaching Methods, Communication Problems
DOI: 10.1007/s10864-024-09548-6
ISSN: 1053-0819
1573-3513
Abstract: Paraeducators are often tasked with supporting students with complex communication needs (CCN) without being well prepared to promote their communication. Previous studies have focused on training paraeducators to promote communication during non-instructional contexts for limited or unspecified communication types. We extend the literature by targeting the diversity of communication opportunities during academic instruction. We used a multiple-probe-across-participants design to test the effects of behavioral skills training to increase the number and variety of communication opportunities (i.e., mands, tacts, and intraverbals) provided by three paraeducators providing instruction for students on the autism spectrum with CCN. The training package resulted in improvements in communication opportunities across all paraeducator-learner dyads. This study serves as an example of one method to promote diverse communication opportunities for students with CCN during academic instruction.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2025
Accession Number: EJ1489684
Database: ERIC
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Description
Abstract:Paraeducators are often tasked with supporting students with complex communication needs (CCN) without being well prepared to promote their communication. Previous studies have focused on training paraeducators to promote communication during non-instructional contexts for limited or unspecified communication types. We extend the literature by targeting the diversity of communication opportunities during academic instruction. We used a multiple-probe-across-participants design to test the effects of behavioral skills training to increase the number and variety of communication opportunities (i.e., mands, tacts, and intraverbals) provided by three paraeducators providing instruction for students on the autism spectrum with CCN. The training package resulted in improvements in communication opportunities across all paraeducator-learner dyads. This study serves as an example of one method to promote diverse communication opportunities for students with CCN during academic instruction.
ISSN:1053-0819
1573-3513
DOI:10.1007/s10864-024-09548-6