Communication Modality Preference and the Social Validity of Functional Communication and Mand Training

Joel E. Ringdahl; Kelly M. Schieltz; Matthew J. O'Brien; Jennifer J. McComas; Rose M. Morlino; Karla A. Zabala-Snow; Emily K. Unholz-Bowden; Shawn N. Girtler

doi:10.1007/s10882-024-09956-6

Back

Communication Modality Preference and the Social Validity of Functional Communication and Mand Training

Journal article

Open access

Peer reviewed

Communication Modality Preference and the Social Validity of Functional Communication and Mand Training

Joel E. Ringdahl, Kelly M. Schieltz, Matthew J. O'Brien, Jennifer J. McComas, Rose M. Morlino, Karla A. Zabala-Snow, Emily K. Unholz-Bowden and Shawn N. Girtler

Journal of developmental and physical disabilities, Vol.37(3), pp.411-428

06/2025

DOI: 10.1007/s10882-024-09956-6

PMCID: PMC12169889

PMID: 40524760

Files and links (1)

url

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12169889/pdf/nihms-2026393.pdfView

Open Access

Abstract

Researchers have shown that behavioral interventions that incorporate communication as a focus have demonstrated efficacy for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Researchers have demonstrated that individuals with IDD allocate responding to one communicative response modality over others when multiple communicative modalities produce reinforcement in the context of a concurrent-schedules arrangement. Identifying preference for communicative response modality provides one approach to incorporating aspects of social validity in the design of behavioral interventions for individuals with IDD, placing additional importance on demonstrations of the robustness of this preference. In the current study, we evaluated preference among concurrently available communication modalities for 14 individuals with IDD. Results of the study replicated previous, similar research in that the vast majority of individuals demonstrated a preference between communicative response modalities. We discuss the results within the context of social validity and implications for intervention.

Psychology

Social Sciences

Education & Educational Research

Education, Special

Life Sciences & Biomedicine

Psychology, Developmental

Rehabilitation

Science & Technology

Details

Title: Subtitle: Communication Modality Preference and the Social Validity of Functional Communication and Mand Training
Creators: Joel E. Ringdahl - University of Georgia
Kelly M. Schieltz - Univ Iowa, Iowa City, IA USA
Matthew J. O'Brien - Univ Iowa, Iowa City, IA USA
Jennifer J. McComas - University of Minnesota
Rose M. Morlino - University of Georgia
Karla A. Zabala-Snow - University of Georgia
Emily K. Unholz-Bowden - University of Minnesota
Shawn N. Girtler - University of Minnesota
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: Journal of developmental and physical disabilities, Vol.37(3), pp.411-428
DOI: 10.1007/s10882-024-09956-6
PMID: 40524760
PMCID: PMC12169889
NLM abbreviation: J Dev Phys Disabil
ISSN: 1056-263X
eISSN: 1573-3580
Publisher: Springer Nature
Number of pages: 18
Grant note: Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development; United States Department of Health & Human Services; National Institutes of Health (NIH) - USA; NIH Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health & Human Development (NICHD)
Language: English
Electronic publication date: 04/01/2024
Date published: 06/2025
Academic Unit: Pediatric Psychology; Stead Family Department of Pediatrics; Iowa Neuroscience Institute; Psychological and Quantitative Foundations
Record Identifier: 9984586460302771

Metrics

64 Record Views

3 Times Cited - Web of Science

See more details