ASSESSING CHOICE MAKING OF A PERSON WITH PROFOUND DISABILITIES - A PRELIMINARY-ANALYSIS

The purpose of this study was to examine two issues in choice-making r esearch through a case study assessing the leisure-activity preference s of a woman with profound mental retardation in a residential setting . The issues include (a) providing the participant with the option of expressing ''no'' for given choice options and (b) analyzing environme ntal variables that might control choice-making behavior. The investig ation consisted of two experiments; single-subject designs were used i n each. The results of the two experiments suggested that (a) the part icipant could express distinct musical preference when given choice-ma king opportunities; (b) adding as a choice option a notebook that sign aled the termination of a session allowed the participant to express a preference for ending the session when only less preferred options we re presented; and (c) preference patterns varied with the activity par tner and/or the locale. Results are discussed in terms of choice makin g and autonomy leading to an improved quality of life.