Training Socially Appropriate Behaviours to Moderately Retarded Adults: A Social Learning Approach

Abstract

Six moderately retarded 1 adults with undesirable behaviours such as noncompliance and physical aggression were taught more appropriate responses with a social learning package. Training consisted of seven daily "report card" measures checked plus (did not occcur) or minus (did occur) for each target behaviour. Instructions and feedback were provided after every training session by staff as was praise for appropriate behaviour. Short periods of social isolation were used after daily training when a minus was reported in any training period that day. During treatment, 21 of 22 target behaviours decreased in frequency. Seven months after treatment, 20 target behaviours were still well below baseline levels.