Training instructional skills with paraprofessional service providers at a community-based habilitation setting.

Kleinert et al. (2007) worked with four paraprofessionals in a group home. The staff served adults with autism and intellectual disability.

The team used behavioral skills training (BST). They gave clear instructions, showed a demo, let staff practice, and gave feedback.

The goal was perfect AAC teaching. Staff had to prompt, wait, and reinforce correctly every time.

Three of the four staff hit 100% accuracy after the short BST package. The fourth came very close.

The gains stayed high with only brief booster checks. No extra prizes or pay were needed.

Aherne et al. (2019) extends this result. They also used BST with home staff, but added a self-evaluation checklist. Some staff lost skill without it, showing the 2007 gains may need help to last.

LaBrot et al. (2022) tested the same four-step BST with parents instead of aides. Skills moved to the living room and kept working. The 2007 study is the first brick in this line of evidence.

Shire et al. (2014) looked at twelve similar staff-training trials. They found mostly positive effects, but warned most studies were weak. Kleinert et al. (2007) is one of the stronger single-case bricks in that shaky wall.

You can run a one-hour BST session and get paraprofessionals to teach AAC without errors. Use the same four steps: tell, show, practice, praise. Check back once a week to keep the skill alive.