Training direct-care staff to implement an iPad®-based communication intervention with adults with developmental disability

Abstract

Objectives: To evaluate the effects of a program for training direct-care staff to implement an iPad®-based communication intervention with adults with developmental disability and severe communication impairment.

Methods: Participants were 11 adults with developmental disability and 19 direct-care staff drawn from two day program settings. Direct-care staff completed training on how to implement the iPad®-based intervention. Staff were trained using PowerPoint® and video presentations, role play, practice, and feedback. A nonconcurrent multiple-baseline across settings design was used to evaluate the effects of the training program on fidelity of implementation by direct-care staff and the frequency of functional communicative acts by the adults with developmental disability. Eleven direct-care staff (five from Setting 1 and six from Setting 2) also completed a social validity questionnaire on the acceptability and usefulness of the training program.

Results: After the training program, fidelity of implementation and frequency of functional communication increased. These gains were maintained at the follow-up in Setting 1, but not in Setting 2. Direct-care staff in both settings rated the training program as acceptable and useful.

Conclusion: Direct-care staff learned to implement an iPad®-based communication intervention to increase functional communication in adults with developmental disability and severe communication impairment. The training program showed promise, but additional research is needed to validate its effectiveness.

Keywords:

• adults
• developmental disability
• augmentative and alternative communication
• communication intervention
• direct-care staff
• iPad®-based speech-generating device
• staff training

Acknowledgments

The authors thank the adults, staff, and organizations for their cooperation and participation in this research.

Notes

1. Apple iPad® is a registered trademark of the Apple Corporation, Cupertino California, USA, www.apple.com

2. TalkTablet® is a registered trademark of appcessible.org, http://www.appcessible.org/about/

3. Microsoft Office PowerPoint® is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation, Redmond, WA, USA, https://www.microsoft.com/en-us