Teaching Social Communication Skills Using the CNC Procedure | BCBA CEU | Learning | 0.5 Hour 

 Dr. Justin B. Leaf reviews a 2016 study published in Education and Treatment of Children that examined teaching social communication skills using a cool versus not cool procedure, plus role play and a social skills taxonomy. The stated purpose of the study was “to expand the cool verses not-cool procedure. One expansion was that role plays were mandatory in this study.

The researchers referenced a taxonomy with domains including social awareness, social interaction, social learning, and social communication, with this study focusing on social communication. The three skills targeted were how to have conversations, how to cheer on a friend, and how to interrupt someone appropriately.

The procedure included teacher demonstrations and naturalistic probes. A naturalistic probe was described as an opportunity for the participant to display the behavior being taught. During these probes, prompting, priming, or consequences were not provided. Master criterion was set at 100 percent of scale steps over three consecutive sessions.

Results indicated participants met master criterion at 100 percent of skills, though differences in maintenance were observed. The cool versus not-cool procedure was effective in teaching, but booster sessions were required.