Abstract
Graduate students (N=3) were trained to conduct a functional assessment interview with parents of children with developmental disabilities, and to improve other counseling skills. The training program included instructions, rehearsals, and video feedback. Effects of the training were measured during role-play. Generalization of the training was tested by asking parents to play a role of a client. Results of a multiple-baseline design across subjects showed that after the training all the students' target behaviors increased and their counseling skills improved. However, generalization was not observed in some of the interviews with the parents. The results of the present study demonstrate that this training program is effective for improving students' skills in conducing functional assessment interviews, as well as other counseling skills.
