This study examined the effectiveness of behavioral skills training in teaching 2 adult women with mild intellectual disabilities to report inappropriate staff-to-resident interactions. The reporting skill included making a self-advocacy response, walking away, and reporting the interaction. Participants' performance was measured during baseline,…

Serving refreshments was shown to increase attendance and frequency of interaction in the activity area of a nursing home. Quantitative and qualitative changes in vocal behavior were evaluated. Rates of interaction more than doubled during treatment phases, but ineffective vocal behavior accounted for most of the increase. (Author/JW)

We evaluated a staff training and management package for increasing accuracy of recording frequency of problem behavior in a residential care facility. A multiple baseline design across the first and second work shifts showed that 2 of 8 participants increased their accuracy following in-service training, and all 8 improved during a condition with…

A two-phase functional analysis of a profoundly retarded 19-year-old male's pica behavior resulted in an effective staff-implemented treatment consisting of limited staff-client interaction and removal of a protective helmet which had previously been prescribed to help control pica. (Author/JW)

The article discusses areas of behavioral gerontology that would profit from additional research, such as self-management, community caregiver training, and geriatric behavioral pharmacology. Considerations for adapting behavioral procedures for the elderly are discussed, and suggestions for expanding the role of behavior analysis in geriatric…

Individual written and verbal performance feedback was examined to determine its influence on the safety with which physically disabled clients were transferred. Two client-transfer techniques were task analyzed and six direct service providers' on-the-job performance was measured weekly. Feedback was consistently followed by improvements in safe…

This study evaluated procedures used to train 10 supervisors in a residential setting to provide feedback for maintaining direct-service staff members' teaching skills with people who have severe disabilities. A combination of classroom-based instruction, on-the-job observation, and feedback that targeted supervisors' feedback skills was found to…

In an effort to reduce social isolation, procedures which included modeling, behavioral rehearsal, feedback, and reinforcement were used to train four elderly nursing home residents in four conversational areas: expressing common courtesies; making positive self-disclosures; asking questions; and making interjections and acknowledgments. Results…

A pyramidal training procedure was implemented with staff working with two adults who had developmental disabilities and self-injurious behavior, aggression, and disruption. Little change occurred following inservice training, but improvements in direct care and staff behaviors and decreases in clients' inappropriate behaviors followed a…