Using Video Modeling to Teach Parents to Use the Natural Language Paradigm

Abstract

There is paucity of research examining the use of video modeling to train parents to implement formats of early intervention such as Naturalistic Environmental Training (NET). The purpose of the current study was to evaluate the efficacy of video modeling to train parents to implement the Naturalistic Language Paradigm (NLP), a specific format of NET, with their children diagnosed with or suspected of having autism spectrum disorder. All three parents demonstrated accurate performance of the components of NLP with an adult confederate and met the mastery criterion in two or three video modeling sessions. We measured the parent’s accurate implementation of each NLP step across phases of the study. Results showed that video modeling did not teach all steps to mastery. We also measured the generalization of the parents’ NLP implementation to their child in the clinic and the home settings. Generalization of the NLP procedures to sessions with their child in the clinic was observed for all three participants, and generalization to the home was observed for two of the three participants. Maintenance probes conducted one and three weeks after generalization sessions showed continued high levels of accurate implementation of NLP for two parents. In addition, we assessed if parent-implemented NLP led to improvements in the child’s vocalizations, inappropriate behavior, and appropriate play behavior.