Conjoint Behavioral Consultation: Involving Parents and Teachers in the Treatment of a Child with Selective Mutism

Authors

Valerie J. Gortmaker, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Emily D. Warnes, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Susan M. Sheridan, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow

Document Type

Article

Date of this Version

2004

Citation

Proven Practice, 5(2) • 2004

Abstract

This paper provides a case example of the effects of a behavioral intervention implemented i.n the context. of Conjoint Behavioral Consultation (CBC; Sheridan, Kratochwill & Bergan, 1996) for a five-year-old child with selective mutism. Programming common stimuli was combined with positive reinforcement and ·then implemented by a parent and teacher to improve a child's verbal interactions. Overall, the number of words spoken by the child client per day increased from 0 during baseline to a treatment mean of 7.7 words per day. An effect size of 1.60 was yielded, with 100% non-overlapping data between baseline and treatment phases. Additionally, treatment acceptability ratings from the parent and teacher of the child indicated that the consultation procedure was feasible and effective within the general education setting.