How to measure efficacy in this programme

It is important to monitor efficacy for evidence of generalisation. There are a

number of ways to measure efficacy (e.g. pre-post, ABA withdrawal, multiple
baseline, alternating treatments, see Dodd, 1995 for a description of these
designs).

In this programme we suggest the use of a set of 10 probe words that are elicited
each fortnight. The 10 probe words are provided with a monitoring sheet.

• Ask the child to name the pictures three times and separate each trial with a
therapy activity.

• Compare the three productions for each word.

• If the three productions are the same, assign the word a score of 0.

• If the three productions differ, assign the word a score of 1.

• Calculate the percentage of inconsistency by dividing the number of words

that received a score of 1 by the number of words produced 3 times x 100.

An example of the information gained from monitoring efficacy:

Katie: 4 years; 10 months

90
Percentage of inconsistency

Point of generalisation
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
Pre-Ax Probe 1, Probe 2, Probe 3, Post-Rx Follow-
Week 2 Week 4 Week 6 up