Teaching self-administration of suctioning to children with tracheostomies

J Appl Behav Anal. 1991 Fall;24(3):563-70. doi: 10.1901/jaba.1991.24-563.

Abstract

We examined the effectiveness of using dolls to teach young children with tracheostomies to self-administer a suctioning procedure. Four children between the ages of 5 and 8 years, who had had tracheostomies for 6 months or longer, participated. After skills were taught via doll-centered simulations, in vivo skills were evaluated. All of the training and probe sessions were conducted in the participants' classrooms or homes. Results of a multiple baseline design across subjects and skill components indicated that the performance of all children improved as a function of training. Skill maintenance was demonstrated by all participants during follow-up assessments conducted 2 to 6 weeks posttraining. Results of a questionnaire completed by caregivers and interviews with the children revealed high levels of satisfaction with the training procedures and outcomes.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Behavioral Medicine
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Generalization, Psychological
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Patient Education as Topic*
  • Play and Playthings*
  • Reinforcement, Psychology
  • Self Care*
  • Suction
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Task Performance and Analysis
  • Tracheostomy*