title: Observed changes in the alertness and communicative involvement of students with multiple and severe disability following in-class mentor modelling for staff in segregated and general education classrooms.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The improvement of engagement and involvement in communicative and socially centred exchanges for individuals with multiple and severe disability (MSD) presents complex and urgent challenges to educators. This paper reports the findings of an intervention study designed to enhance the interactive skills of students with MSD using an in-class mentor model of staff development to improve the skills and strategies of their communication partners in two distinct educational settings.
  
  
  METHODS
  Observational data were collected on eight students with MSD and their 16 teachers and teachers' aides (paraprofessionals), using a multiple baseline across students design, replicated across special and general school setting types.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Results indicated variable improvements in student alertness and increased communicative interactions. In some cases significant differences in communicative involvement and awake-active-alert activity were observed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These findings underline the complexity of variables involved in delivering educational and communicative interventions for staff working with this population. Implications for further research and application to daily practices in classrooms are discussed.
authors.affiliation: School of Education, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Foreman
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Arthur-Kelly
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Bennett
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Neilands
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Colyvas
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001288:Attention / Q000502:physiology*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003142:Communication; D019988:Children with Disabilities / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D004519:Education, Special / Q000379:methods*; D005178:Faculty; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012574:Schools; D013192:Staff Development / Q000379:methods*; D013334:Students; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: behaviour states; communication; educational settings; multiple disability; professional development; severe disability