The word learning ability of two children with Down syndrome using the exclusion training technique
Open Access
Author:
Moore, Jennifer Lynn
Area of Honors:
Communication Sciences and Disorders
Degree:
Bachelor of Science
Document Type:
Thesis
Thesis Supervisors:
Dr. Krista M Wilkinson, Thesis Supervisor Dr. Carol Anne Miller, Thesis Honors Advisor
Keywords:
fast mapping exclusion training generalization efficiency Down syndrome word learning
Abstract:
Fast mapping is the ability to develop a rapid, incomplete understanding of novel words after only very few exposures (Carey & Bartlett, 1978). Using exclusion training, an errorless learning technique, fast mapping is made more efficient as it is a “success-only” strategy (Duffy & Wishart, 1994). This study, involving two boys with Down syndrome, used a computer program designed to teach the written labels for novel animal stimuli through exclusion training. As an extension of a previous study (Pu & Wilkinson, 2011), the number of teaching trials for each set of animals was reduced to enhance instructional efficiency and multiple exemplars were incorporated throughout the sets to examine generalization. The results reflected that success with efficiency was dependent upon the participant but generalization may be used without negative effects on learning.
