A computer‐aided program to supervise occupational engagement of severely mentally retarded persons

Abstract

The present study assessed a computer-aided program devised t o supervise (e.g., to prompt with the display of slides and reinforce with tokens) the occupational engagement of severely mentally retarded individuals.The program was assessed with two subjects who engaged in few constructive activities without supervision. The subjects were capable of responding to pictorial prompts. The results showed that both subjects learned to perform scheduled activities independent of staff supervision. Their performance was maintained over time and could be made progressively more meaningful with minimal staff involvement. Generalization across settings and across settings and conditions was observed. The findings are discussed in terms of program components as well as in t e r m of cost and benefits.

A computer-based system providing pictorial instructions and prompts to promote task performance in persons with severe developmental disabilities

“…Common strategies proposed for helping persons with severe developmental disabilities acquire and maintain constructive and extended task engagement rely on self-instruction, pictorial or auditory instruction cues, combinations of self-instruction and pictorial cues, and computer-based systems for presenting instructions (Briggs, Alberto, Sharpton, Berlin, McKinley, & Ritts, 1990;Hughes & Petersen, 1989;Johnson & Miltenberger, 1996;Lancioni, Smeets, & Oliva, 1988;Wacker, Berg, Berrie, & Swatta, 1985). Although positive results have been reported with all these strategies, their use may not necessarily be free from diculties.…”

Occupational engagement of low‐functioning individuals: extending the applicability of a computer‐aided programme

“…Inadequate training levels in the card programme may not be a sufficient explanation for the deterioration of performance, at least for Subject 2. The level of supervision available in the programmes may be a more likely explanation of the findings (Dunlap & Johnson, 1985;Lancioni & Oliva, 1988;Lancioni ^r a/., 1988;Romanczyk, 1977). It is noteworthy that in the card programme the subjects could misuse the cards and take reinforcement without any external restrictions or feedback.…”

“…An increase in the activity level can constitute a significant improvement in the 'quality of life' of those individuals (Felce et al,, 1980;Jones et al, 1984;ManseIU/d/., 1982;ManselUr a/., 1984;Powers & Ball, 1983). Recently, a computer-aided programme has been developed for supervising occupational engagement; that is, for providing the individuals with instructions, reinforcement and, to some extent, corrective feedback (Lancioni & Oliva, 1988;Lancioni et al, 1988).…”

Groups of individuals who are moderately mentally retarded sharing their activities with passive low‐functioning companions

“…Although a general agreement exists that an increase in the activity of these individuals is desirable, an increase in staff personnel to achieve this goal may be practically impossible (Dy, Strain, Fullerton & Stowitschek, 198 1;Vacc, 1978). The use of computer-aided programs (Lancioni, Oliva, Raimondi & Ciattaglia, 1989;Lancioni, Smeets & Oliva, 1988) can be a viable and convenient approach. Individuals who require physical prompts to be active, however, may not respond successfully to those programs.…”