Ed463614 - Exemplary Practices in Writing Instruction for Young Children Who Use Augmentative and Alternative Communication (Paperback)

Two single subject multiple probes across subjects research studies were conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of two instructional writing programs. The objective of the first study was to determine the effect of an instructional program on the selection of initial letters of words by 3 children with developmental disabilities (ages 7-10) who used augmentative and alternative communication (AAC). The writing instructional program included direct instruction in letter-sound correspondence and selection of initial letters of words, and a writing workshop-type of activity to provide instruction in writing tasks. Two of the 3 children were successful in the acquisition of the target skill, maintained use of the skill at least 1 month following instruction, and demonstrated some generalization. The goal of the second study was to determine the effect of an instructional program on the selection of final letters of words by 2 children with developmental disabilities (age 10) who used AAC and who had mastered the selection of initial letters of words. The instructional program included direct instruction in the selection of final letters, a review of the selection, of initial letters, and a writing workshop-type of activity. Both participants were successful in acquiring the target skill. Appended are the following items from Study 1 and Study 2, respectively: Organization of words for Instructional Stimuli and Probes; The Instructional Program--InitialLetter; and Sample Data for Selection of Initial Letter in a Writing Task. (Contains 57 references.) (Author/CR)