Faw, G. D., Davis, P. K., & Peck, C. (1996).
Increasing self-determination: Teaching people with mental retardation to evaluate residential options.
Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis,
29, 173-188.
The community living preferences of 4 institutionalized adults
with mild mental retardation were identified using photographs
that depicted a variety of residential characteristics.
Individuals then were taught to obtain information regarding
their preferences during tours of community group homes, to
report that information to their social worker, and to evaluate
the homes based on the information obtained. A multiple baseline
across participants design showed that all 4 participants
substantially increased their skills at asking questions,
reporting information, and evaluating homes. The results indicate
that people with mental retardation can take an active role in
major lifestyle decisions that others have typically made for
them.
DESCRIPTORS: self-determination, mental retardation, preferences,
task analysis