Ducharme, D. E., & Holborn, S. W. (1997).
Programming generalization of social skills in preschool children with hearing impairments.
Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis,
30, 639-651.
The efficacy of a social skills training package in producing
stimulus generalization, both with and without the systematic
application of generalization programming techniques, was
evaluated with 5 preschool children with hearing impairments. The
evaluation was conducted within a multiple baseline design.
Generalization probes were conducted daily. The social skills
training package was implemented in a training setting and
produced high, stable rates of social interaction in that
setting. However, generalization of the social skills to new
teachers, peers, and play activities did not occur until
generalization programming strategies were applied in the
original training setting. Using sufficient stimulus exemplars
and contacting natural consequences appeared to be the key
strategies for promoting generalization of social interaction. In
addition, the use of supplementary procedures (e.g., a fluency
criterion and treatment integrity checks) may have contributed to
stimulus generalization.
DESCRIPTORS: generalization, social skills, preschool children,
hearing impairments