Issues in the Training and Evaluation of Behaviour Modification Skills for Staff Working with Profoundly Retarded Multiply Handicapped Children

Abstract

Kiernan and Riddick's programme for training operant techniques was employed to teach behaviour modification to a variety of staff in a children's mental handicap hospital. The aim was to evaluate the course in relation to a carefully defined group of profoundly retarded multiply handicapped children. Evaluation of the course is described and significant improvement in trainees' skills with respect to the use of physical prompting and reinforcement noted. Some problems of staff in implementing the learnt technique are considered. Finally, the relation between the applicability of behavioural techniques and the characteristics of profoundly retarded multiply handicapped children is considered in the light of more detailed studies of their learning characteristics.