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Acquisition of Makaton Symbols by a Young Man with Severe Learning Difficulties

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  16 June 2009

M. D. R. Brownjohn
M. D. R. Brownjohn
Affiliation:
Royal Earlswood Hospital
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Abstract

Recognition of and discrimination between seven Makaton symbols was taught to a young man with severe mental handicap and some physical difficulties which, combined with “poor motivation”, had previously resulted in his failing to learn signing. An errorless learning approach as well as tangible and social reinforcers were used to teach the symbols, while over-learning may also have been important in promoting retention. Following the successful completion of the programme the young man was accepted for speech therapy and further communication training, for which he had previously been thought unsuitable.

Type
Research Article
Information
Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapy , Volume 16 , Issue 2 , April 1988 , pp. 85 - 94
Copyright
Copyright © British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies 1988

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