Where Can a Naturalistic Intervention System be Used and By Whom?
Naturalistic intervention can be implemented in any setting where a toddler spends time, by parents and a variety of other appropriately trained adults, to support the acquisition of target behaviors in the areas of communication (prelinguisitic and linguistic) and social development. Parents, other family members (such as siblings, grandparents), early interventionists (such as teachers and therapists), child care providers, and community members (e.g. clergy, librarians) who have received training in the toddler’s naturalistic intervention may all be appropriate team members.
It is important to have a designated lead that will include all of the identified adults in planning and provide training in the specifics of a toddler’s naturalistic intervention. All participants will require some training in how to elicit the target behavior and collect data; some may need frequent training and ongoing coaching. At times, it may be appropriate to include siblings or other children in a naturalistic intervention. When that is the case, clear adult guidance and support is needed.
How are some ways naturalistic intervention can enhance communication and social skills that occur within everyday toddler activities and routines?
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Initiating communication with a sibling during play time at home.
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Engaging in two way communication during play time in a center-based program.
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Using words to request “more” during snack or meal times.
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Making a choice for a preferred bedtime story.
By using naturalistic interventions for target behaviors within specific routines such as those described above, responses can be strategically elicited and expanded upon to generalize skills to other routines and activities.
EXAMPLE
If a child is successful in learning to use the word, “more” to request more snack, the toddler is encouraged with similar strategies to use “more” to request more food in a restaurant or to request “more” of a preferred activity.