title: Assessment and training of functional conversation behaviour.
abstract: Measures for the assessment of initial, dyadic conversations are critically reviewed, and an alternative approach is described. The Verbal Interaction Analysis System is illustrated by two case studies featuring mildly to moderately intellectually disabled adults. These studies show how the VIAS provides an index of competence and assists in the development of specific treatment strategies. Social validity is examined in each case, and suggestions are made for improvements to the VIAS.
authors.affiliation: Psychology Department, Murdoch University, Western Australia.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ralph
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Johnstone
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001521:Behavior Therapy; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D004495:Education of Persons with Intellectual Disabilities; D006801:Humans; D008607:Intellectual Disability / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D011594:Psychometrics; D012050:Rehabilitation, Vocational / Q000523:psychology; D012919:Social Behavior; D013068:Speech Production Measurement / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014705:Verbal Behavior