Use of paired stimuli in modification of articulation.

Abstract

A pictured key word which contained a correctly articulated target phoneme in final position was paired with 10 pictured training words which contained the incorrectly articulated target phoneme in the final position and 10 additional times with pictured training words which contained the incorrectly articulated target phoneme in initial position. Each child was instructed only to name the paired pictures in the fixed pattern of key word-training word. During contingent pairing, reinforcement was immediate and dispensed for all correct responses. Each of three children achieved 100% correct articulation of the target phonemes in the 20 training words. A multiple baseline procedure was used. The total amount of training time from onset of contingent-pairing to 100% correct was 3 hr. for Subject A, 48 min. for Subject B, and 2 hr. 24 min. for Subject C.