Lesson SOC 1
Task: Respond to parent/primary caregiver.
Prerequisites: None
Concept: This activity may seem similar to “attend to object or task" (ADT 1) or make eye contact with instructor" (COG 1), but there is a difference. Although each of these skills is a beginning behavior for developmental learning, basic attending relates to objects or even activities and eye contact to an instructor (often not a primary caregiver). The response to a caregiver relates to some form of bonding or discriminating among people. The key to developing this type of behavior is positive inter-action, the more exaggerated the better. If the student is small enough and physically able to be held, this is the best form of interaction. Although it should be performed in moderation, vestibular stimulation (body movement or spinning) can be a very positive form of interaction, especially for the student with developmental disabilities. Measurable actions to demonstrate the response outcome could be relaxation of the student's body, soothing sounds coming from the student, and smiles or head movements (with or without eye contact) toward the parent or primary caregiver.
Behavioral Objective: The student will demonstrate some measurable response (such as those identified above) to his or her parent or primary caregiver to a 90% ac-curacy level over 20 trials.
Materials: Preferred toys, soft music, and a quiet environment.
Task Analysis:
1. Encourage the parent or caregiver to interact with the student, emphasizing input to all senses where reasonable and using the materials outlined above.
2. Attempt to determine the specific action(s) that is (are) the most enjoyed by the student. Once determined, this action should not be performed except as reinforcement (reward) for the target behavior.
3. Continue Step 1, modifying the environment and objects presented. When a measurable positive response occurs, immediately perform the action identified in Step 2.
4. Continue until the objective has been met.