Frequent versus nonfrequent verbal prompts delivered unobtrusively: Their impact on the task performance of adults with intellectual disability

This study was aimed at assessing the impact of frequent versus nonfrequent verbal prompts, delivered unobtrusively, on the task performance of two ad ults with severe intellectual disability. The prompts were delivered throug h a small pocket device with an earpiece. This device was linked via radio to a portable computer-aided system that also served for presenting the tas k instructions (i.e., pictorial representations of the task steps). Data in dicated that the frequent prompts condition fostered a higher level of on-t ask behavior and correct task responding. Implications of the findings are discussed.