The effect of decreasing the difficulty of reading material on comprehension by 57 direct care trainees at a residential facility for mentally retarded persons was examined. Results confirmed that decreasing the reading difficulty of printed material increases trainees' comprehension levels. (Author/SB)

Letters were sent to 27 directors of sheltered workshops serving the developmentally disabled requesting their suggestions for topics considered relevant for the inservice training of direct line staff. The area of concern most frequently selected and rated as highest priority by direct line staff was ways to deal with the low-functioning client.…

Nineteen professional (nurses and attendants with bachelor degrees) and 17 paraprofessionals (aides with less than a college education) from a residential institution for the mentally retarded participated in an overview course on mental retardation. (Author/CL)

Thirty-four staff providing services to people with intellectual disabilities completed the Challenging Behaviour Attribution Scale with respect to a specific client before, during, and after completing a course in assessment and intervention for challenging behavior. Significantly more staff attributed challenging behavior to negative…

Described is a model for inservice training of paraprofessionals working with the severely and profoundly mentally retarded. Reviewed are the following training phases: orientation, including a discussion of the program's overview and expectations; demonstration and modeling of activity training; monitoring the resident's progress; and…

A model for implementing in-service education in a residential setting for mentally retarded students is discussed. (CL)

Background: To date, little attention has been given to the concept of quality of life around human resources employment programmes for staff working with persons with a dual diagnosis. Method: This article describes the implementation of quality of life principles to service provision for people with dual diagnosis and its application to staff…

In the countries of the Third World, the urgency and the immensity of the need for staff trained in the care of the mentally handicapped calls for the formulation of training programs which can be rapidly and realistically implemented, but which can still be integrated into medium and long term programs. Journal availability: see EC 133 861.…

Effects of inservice training and consultation with 33 staff members involved with 97 mildly to severely mentally retarded children and adults living in group homes and apartments throughout Pennsylvania were examined. Training focused on behavior management and group dynamic strategies for skill development and alteration of socially aversive…

This study evaluated the effect of a training course for staff working in British learning disability residential services on their attributions and practice. Decreased usage of the attributional category "communication deficit" was found 8 weeks later. Also, practice appeared significantly changed from baseline to follow-ups 4 and 5…

The impact of inservice generated staff knowledge changes on the behavior of 42 mentally retarded adults was assessed. Findings demonstrated an effective time-efficient means of collecting client behavior change data, as well as a 51 percent growth in measured staff knowledge, anD a decrease in each of nine targeted maladaptive behaviors.…

A study investigated 57 Swedish day centers for individuals with mental retardation found that half of the staff had not received information on assistive devices and that inservice training was primarily with communication devices, mobility aids, and lifting devices. Knowledge of time control devices was limited. (CR)

This paper is intended to assist people who work with persons having mental retardation to better understand what life is like for these individuals. The recommended training program is based on a case study approach, with guided experiences in small study groups led by trained leaders. Principles of training for group leaders are identified,…

An Iowa project working with elementary students' attitudes toward people with disabilities could be effectively revamped as a teacher inservice program involving discrimination activities, group discussions, films, orientation and observation videos, an overview of Public Law 94-142, and information about support service agencies. Includes 11…