The Effects of Backward Chaining with on Story Recall Behavior in Children with Developmental Delays

Purpose of the Study

This study aimed to investigate the effects of backward chaining with leap ahead on the story recall behavior of children with developmental delays.

Research Questions

What effects do backward chaining have on the event recall behavior of children with developmental delays?

Research Design

Multiple-probe design across behaviors.

Participants and Selection Criteria

• Children with developmental delays

• Children who can verbally express themselves with spontaneous speech

• Children without severe problem behaviors

• Children who show difficulties in recalling events or stories

Independent Variables

• Backward chaining with leap ahead

Dependent Variable

Accuracy of responses to comprehension questions

Data Collection and Measurement

• Comprehension accuracy: Percentage of correct responses out of six “wh-” based questions.

• Correct responses: Maximum of 6 points (one per question).

• Interobserver agreement: Collected for approximately 30% of total sessions.

Mastery Criteria

Acquisition criterion: At least 80% accuracy across three consecutive sessions.

Procedures

Preliminary Assessments

• Reinforcer assessment and language assessment

Baseline

• To confirm prior knowledge of the story. The examiner prompts: “Tell me about [story title].” Wait 5 seconds. Present 5 prepared questions about the story and record correct responses. Conducted under extinction (no reinforcement).

Reading and Reinforcement (RAR) Baseline

• The examiner reads the full story. After 1 minute, asks: “Let’s talk about [story title].”

• Six comprehension questions are asked.

• Correct responses (including partial) are followed by mild reinforcement (within 1 minute).

• Incorrect or no responses: Provide neutral feedback (e.g., “Okay, let’s move to the next question.”).

Intervention

• The examiner reads the full story. After 1 minute, prompts: “Let’s talk about [story title].”

• Shows the target page and presents six questions.

• Correct responses (partial or all) are followed by strong reinforcement within 1 minute.

• If the child answers questions from other pages correctly, future sessions will include those pages as part of the target sequence (e.g., if correct on pages 4 and 6, subsequent sessions use pages 3–6).

• Incorrect/no response within 5 seconds: Implement error correction (model correct answer with page shown, prompting echoic response).

At least 24 hours between sessions.

Maintenance

• Conducted two weeks after intervention, following the same procedure as baseline.

Generalization

• During baseline, intervention, or maintenance, ask about real-life events experienced by the child. Prompt: “Let’s talk about [activity].” Present 6 questions.