An important area in the learning and development of individuals with disabilities is the acquisition of independent, age-appropriate leisure skills. Three adults with autism and mental retardation were taught to access specific Internet sites using backward chaining and most-to-least intrusive prompting. The number of independent steps completed…

The Leisure and Recreation Behavior Checklist (LRBC) is an open-ended checklist for recording behaviors of mentally handicapped adults. Its function is to profile individuals' leisure or recreation activities for program, administration, and research purposes. Intended for use by care-givers, the measure stresses recording of observed behaviors…

Investigates leisure choices and frequency of participation in leisure activities by adults with mental retardation. Presents the activities these individuals prefer, and the actual frequency of participation. Shows that these adults have very distinct likes and dislikes in the choice of activities and appear to have the desire and ability to…

This paper identifies a rationale for leisure education for young adults with mental retardation and outlines the structure, content, and evaluation strategies of a leisure education model. The leisure instruction is intended to instill self-determination, leisure appreciation, self-awareness, decision making, social interaction, knowledge and…

The bibliography of 151 citations focuses on leadership in adapted physical activity for the mentally handicapped or otherwise disabled. The concept of leadership as used encompasses teaching techniques, group management skills, knowledge leaders need, and leadership training programs. Each citation is provided with a unique number (for ordering…

Leisure activity is a significant factor in the personal-social adjustment of mentally handicapped adults. A particular leisure activity that holds promise for the development and appplication of age-appropriate social behavior is table games. Table games allow for participants to engage in problem-solving activities, sophisticated interpersonal…

Investigated the effects of a leisure education program that taught self-determination, leisure appreciation, and social interaction to four young adults with mental retardation during free time at their vocational training center. Interviews and behavior observations showed that the program improved participants' positive affect but not their…

This paper clarifies terms associated with leisure service delivery for children and adults with mental retardation; outlines limitations of past and existing leisure services; and suggests the development of leisure services that involve social integration, active participation, development of age-appropriate behaviors, self-determination, and…

The Leisure and Recreation Behavior Evaluation (LRBE) measure is intended for use by direct care staff of mentally handicapped adults. The LRBE evaluates an individual's level of independence for a leisure or recreation behavior on a 4-point rating scale for 30 aspects divided into six major categories: (1) the activity, (2) preparation and…

A study assessed the efficacy of a leisure education-based later-life planning model for 10 older adults with mental retardation. Results indicated that the planning-process group had significantly higher life and leisure satisfaction after the planning process than those who did not participate in the planning process. (Contains extensive…

This paper compares the preferences for leisure and recreational activities of adults with and without mental retardation. In a previous study conducted by Butler (1988), 548 adults with developmental disabilities and mental retardation were interviewed with open-ended questions about living arrangement needs, competitive employment and work…

Four caregivers used a constant time delay procedure to teach leisure skills to four adolescents or adults with moderate or severe intellectual disabilities. A multiple probe designed across behaviors and replicated across leisure learners demonstrated the success of the participant-instructors in delivering systematic instruction. (Author/CR)

Older adults with intellectual disability represent a growing segment of the elderly population in developed and, to some extent, in developing nations worldwide. A considerable body of research has addressed this burgeoning demographic over the past 20 years. Although some variations appear within etiological subgroups, the biological processes…

People with mental retardation have been overlooked in recreation/leisure and decision making, which are integral to full community participation. They must be provided with leisure education and decision-making skills. The article describes the Decision Making in Leisure model, explaining its use with individuals with mental retardation. (SM)

Described is the "Taxonomy of Community Living Skills," a guide for curriculum developers. Experts (n=59) in mental retardation were surveyed to assess the taxonomy's coherence, appropriateness, completeness, etc. Responses to the model's five domains (personal maintenance and development, homemaking and community life, vocational,…