Behavioral Principles in Communicative Disorders: Applications to Assessment and Treatment

Behavioral Principles in Communicative Disorders: Applications to Assessment and Treatment examines the basic principles of the science of behaviorism and applies those principles to the assessment and treatment of communicative disorders. It begins with the history and basic principles of behaviorism, as well as a chapter examining Skinner's (1957) concept of verbal behavior and functional units of verbal behavior. The text then discusses functional behavior assessment, the formulation of operationally defined target behaviors, discrete trial treatment procedures, and various techniques for increasing desirable behaviors and decreasing undesirable behaviors. The concluding chapters describe single-case research designs that support the efficacy of behavioral principles and address ethical questions and historic controversies surrounding the application of those principles.

Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) seek to change communicative behaviors in the clients they serve; the principles of behavioral science have many applications to the assessment and treatment of communicative disorders. There is a vast body of evidence indicating the efficacy of behavioral approaches in behavior modification, and SLPs have been tasked by their professional associations to employ evidence-based practices. Also, there is an appreciation for the usefulness of behavioral principles in treating clients with very severe communicative disorders, such as autism, apraxia, and dysfluency. This is evidenced by the development of the field of applied behavior analysis and the growing numbers of board certified behavior analysts (BCBA), with whom SLPs may be called upon to collaborate.

Behavioral Principles in Communicative Disorders is primarily designed for practicing speech-language pathologists looking for detailed descriptions of evidence-based treatment procedures, as well as professors and students in university programs in communicative disorders. However, professionals in other fields, such as applied behavior analysis and special education, will also find this to be a highly useful text.

Christine A. Maul is an assistant professor at California State University, Fresno in the Department of Communicative Disorders and Deaf Studies. Her areas of interest include child language disorders, autism, literacy, augmentative and alternative communication, and multicultural issues. Prior to joining the faculty at Fresno State, she works as a school speech-language pathologist, serving mostly children and young adults with severe developmental disabilities.
Brooke R. Findley completed her Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees in Communicative Disorders: Speech-Language Pathology from California State University, Fresno (CSUF). She is currently pursing a doctoral degree in Educational Leadership at CSUF. Her professional certifications include a California Speech-Language Pathology Services Credential, a California License in Speech-Language Pathology, a Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), and recognition as a Board Certified Behavior Analyst from the Behavior Analyst Certification Board. She is also a member of the ASHA Special Interest Group (SIG) 14: Cultural and Linguistic Diversity.
Amanda Nicolson Adams has lived all over the place. She got her bachelor’s degree at Oklahoma City University, her M.A. in Psychology from the University of Nevada, Reno, her Ph.D. from Florida State University. She became a Board Certified Behavior Analyst in 2000. Prior to moving to Fresno, she worked in a number of autism agencies and was the Behavior Analyst for Washoe County School District in Reno, NV. A faculty position at Fresno State brought her to the central valley. Dr. Nicolson Adams was an associate professor in the Psychology department at CSU, Fresno and served as the program coordinator for the ABA Master’s program for 6 years there. She also founded the Autism Center at Fresno State. She has served on the Board of Directors for the California Association for Behavior Analysis and was on the Cambridge Center for Behavior Studies Board of Advisors.