An Online Communication Partner Training Program: POWR+ Intervention Results for Teachers, Paraeducators, and Children

Abstract

Paraeducators frequently support children who use augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) but often lack access to effective training opportunities. Similarly, special education teachers are responsible for supervising paraeducators but often lack effective training on AAC and paraeducator supervision. The POWR+ (Prepare the activity and AAC, Offer opportunities for communication, Wait for the child’s communication, Respond to the child’s communication, + model AAC) intervention provides training to both paraeducators and supervising teachers to support communication for children who use AAC. In this study, a single-case multiple probe design was used to examine the effects of the POWR+ intervention (e.g., communication opportunities, responses to child communication, and plus AAC models provided by paraeducators) for three teacher–paraeducator–child teams. As a result of the POWR+ intervention paraeducator communication opportunities and paraeducator AAC models increased for all paraeducators. Increases were also noted for communication turns for one child and paraeducator responses to child communication for two paraeducators. Results indicate that the POWR+ intervention may be a viable training option for paraeducators and teachers who support children who use AAC.