The effect of fluency training on math and reading skills in neuropsychiatric diagnosis children: A multiple baseline

Fluency (fast and accurate responding) has been found to facilitate the retention, maintenance, endurance, and application of learned skills. Fluency training has been employed effectively in academic, vocational, industrial, and rehabilitative settings. Using a multiple baseline design, this study expanded previous applications by targeting academic deficits of children with neurological and psychiatric diagnoses in a residential treatment facility. Total response rates were measured in 60 second timed probes. Academic tool skills increased and error rates decreased for all participants after implementation of fluency training. Implications for improving attention to task and targeting minimum competency skills are discussed, as is determining the role that practice plays in increasing fluency rate. Copyright (C) 2005 John Wiley Sons, Ltd.