The training study was designed to use the developmentally appropriate communicative intention of protest as a vehicle for teaching request for object to one 3-year-old language delayed preverbal child. Results revealed that with a specific intervention model the S learned to gesturally, vocally, and verbally express the communication intention being taught. Moreover, the S learned other intentions which were not taught. Findings suggested that by teaching certain developmentally appropriate intentions a child may acquire other intentions through a generalization of knowledge. The clinical importance of teaching intentional communication behavior is discussed. (Author/CL)