Using a Behavior Chain Interruption Strategy to Teach Communication Skills to Students with Severe Disabilities

Two adolescents with severe disabilities were taught pictorial communication skills using an interrupted behavior sequence strategy. The independent variable involved insertion of a typical operant instructional trial for teaching communication skills into the midst of ongoing predictable sequences of behaviors, such as making toast or washing dishes, rather than at the beginning of the task performance. Results indicated the strategy was effective, and are discussed in terms of motivational factors and in terms of potential application of the strategy in community settings.