Evaluation of a delay and denial tolerance program to increase appropriate waiting trained via telehealth

The literature on the systematic application of delay and denial to reinforcement is limited to specific delivery models (i.e., in-person discrete teaching) and particular settings (i.e., highly controlled laboratory or clinical settings). The purpose of the current study is threefold: 1) to extend previous research on a functional communication and delay and denial tolerance training by teaching procedures to caregivers systematically via a telehealth service delivery model, 2) to evaluate delayed access to reinforcement in different clinical populations, and 3) to modify previously published procedures in order to increase participant exposure to evocative setting events. Parents were trained to deliver all direct assessment and intervention procedures to five children, aided by in vivo coaching by their therapists. All participants were able to meet their terminal wait criterion while achieving behavior reductions greater than 90% of baseline. Implications for continued use of telehealth as a primary means of service delivery are discussed.