Facilitating the Acquisition of Sensorimotor Behavior with a Microcomputer-Mediated Teaching System: An Experimental Analysis

Abstract

The effects of a combined neuromotor/behavioral approach on the acquisition of basic motor skills by young children with severe and multiple disabilities was examined. Two children, 17 and 24 months of age, were provided training via a microcomputer-mediated teaching system. Specific questions addressed were: (a) Do basic motor skills improve as a result of direct training using a neuromotor/behavioral approach? (b) Does generalization occur to other settings? (c) Do students demonstrate maintenance of the target skills once training has been terminated? (d) Can the microcomputer-mediated teaching system accurately reinforce and measure students' performance of the target motor behaviors? A multiple probe across behaviors design was used. Results indicated that the children increased the frequency and duration of the target behaviors in both the training and generalization settings. Maintenance of the effects was also demonstrated. These findings are discussed in light of the efficacy of using a neuromotor/behavioral training approach. Issues related to the implementation of a microcomputer-mediated teaching system in a classroom setting are also discussed.