The purpose of the current study was to compare the delivery of varied versus constant high-, medium-, and low-preference stimuli on performance of 2 adults on a computer-based task in an analogue employment setting. For both participants, constant delivery of the high-preference stimulus produced the greatest increases in performance over…

We examined reactivity of staff behavior to observations of their work performance. After training 2 job coaches to reduce completion of break activities for supported workers, we evaluated job-coach behavior using both conspicuous and inconspicuous observations. Results indicated that both coaches completed none of the activities when…

The work preferences of four adults with severe handicaps were assessed, and three choice-related situations were presented. The study found that clients attended to work tasks almost twice as much when they chose their tasks and when assigned to work on preferred tasks, versus when assigned to work on nonpreferred tasks. (Author/JDD)

We examined customer greeting by employees at one location of a sandwich restaurant chain. First, a preintervention analysis was conducted to determine the conditions under which greeting a customer within 3 s of his or her entry into the restaurant did and did not occur. Results suggested that an appropriate customer greeting was most likely to…

An informant functional assessment was used to evaluate closing-task completion by servers and dishwashers at a restaurant. Based on the functional assessment results, an intervention consisting of task clarification, posted graphic feedback, and verbal feedback was implemented and evaluated with a multiple baseline design across two groups of…

A study evaluated a prework assignment for predicting work-task preferences among three adults with severe multiple disabilities prior to supported employment. The assessment compared worker selections from pairs of work tasks drawn from their future job duties. The assessment accurately predicted tasks that the workers preferred to work on.…

A model of ongoing consultation was effectively implemented in a community group home for eight adults with severe and profound mental retardation. Two consultants taught staff members to use a token reinforcement system, engage clients in a variety of activities, and improve staff interactions with clients. (Author/DB)

Development of generalized job initiative skills was examined with three severely retarded adult males through discrimination training, role play, and self-monitoring interventions. Although intensive training was required to establish an initial set of generalized job initiative responses, subsequent sets of responses were rapidly learned using…

Ten staff members of residential facilities for individuals with mental retardation were trained in self-monitoring procedures, to increase staff on-task behavior and adherence to scheduled activities. Increases in both on-schedule and on-task behavior resulted, and generalization to evening hours occurred. Supervisor feedback was subsequently…