EVALUATING BEHAVIORAL-TECHNIQUES IN-TRAINING INDIVIDUALS WITH SEVERE AND PROFOUND MENTAL-RETARDATION TO USE FUNCTIONAL INDEPENDENT LIVING SKILLS

Three treatment approaches were evaluated for functional skill acquisi tion in individuals with severe and profound mental retardation. The c ontrol condition comprised the standard treatment protocol: verbal pro mpting, modeling, and physical guidance. The first condition added the components of staff training, feedback, and edible reinforcement for clients. The second treatment condition supplemented the first by the addition of verbal and edible reinforcement for staff. Subjects includ ed 30 residents from a large developmental center (Pinecrest) in centr al Louisiana. The control protocol proved to be an ineffective trainin g regimen. Experimental 1 led to statistically significant increases i n learning when compared to controls. Experimental 2 led to additional statistically significant improvements beyond those achieved by Exper imental 1. Daily documentation was once again shown not to enhance tre atment effectiveness. Implications of the findings are discussed.