Self‐management programmes with mentally retarded workers: Implications for developing independent vocational behaviour

Abstract

Three research studies were conducted to investigate the differential effects of externally administered, self-administered and self-determined reinforcement contingencies on the work production rates of developmentally disabled workers. The results of Expt. I indicated that Client 1, a profoundly retarded male, would work at equivalent rates under externally administered or self-administered reinforcers. Experiment II indicated that a severely retarded male would also work at a high work rate under a self-determined reinforcement contingency. The results of Expt. III replicated these findings in a more controlled design. Different tasks adapted from community workshops were utilized in each study. The implications of these studies for developing independent vocational behaviour in the retarded were discussed.

The Effects of Sequential Pictorial Cues, Self‐recording, and Praise on the Job Task Sequencing of Retarded Adults

“…The study suggested the value of such visual aids in increasing the independence of severely retarded adults in a home setting. If self-management programs could be used in a vocational setting, they might help retarded adults transfer newly learned behavior from the training setting into the community, i.e., work settings.Research regarding self-management of retarded individuals in work settings is limited (Wehman, Shutz, Bates, Renzaglia, and Karan, 1978). However, studies using self-management or self-control procedures with other populations have identified and found effective several behavioral components including selfassessment and self-recording (Bandura and Perloff, 1967;Glynn, Thomas, and Shee, 1973).…”

“…Research regarding self-management of retarded individuals in work settings is limited (Wehman, Shutz, Bates, Renzaglia, and Karan, 1978). However, studies using self-management or self-control procedures with other populations have identified and found effective several behavioral components including selfassessment and self-recording (Bandura and Perloff, 1967;Glynn, Thomas, and Shee, 1973).…”

Self-management of vocational skills for people with significant intellectual disabilities: A systematic review

“…Most participants were described as having moderate or severe disabilities. Only four participants in four different studies were described as having a profound disability (i.e., Bates et al, 1980; Ganz and Sigafoos, 2005; Steed and Lutzker, 1997; Wehman et al, 1978). All studies that included participants with profound disabilities demonstrated positive effects following the use of self-management interventions.…”

Teaching Self-Control Procedures to Individuals Who Are Mentally Retarded

“…The study suggested the feasibility of using self-reinforcement in a sheltered work facility. Wehman, Schutz, Bates, Renzaglia, and Karan (1978) also examined the effects of self-reinforcement on work production rates of three individuals: One participant was mildly mentally retarded; the second participant, severely mentally retarded; and the third participant, profoundly mentally retarded. For the employee who was profoundly retarded, the results indicated that the individual's production rate was highest during an external reinforcement condition followed by self-administered reinforcement.…”