We report on the nature and timing of services provided to children with an intellectual disability (ID) identified by a new comprehensive assessment and care planning tool used to evaluate children's needs for Medicaid Personal Care Services (PCS) in Texas. The new assessment procedure resulted from a legal settlement with the advocacy community.…

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of physical exercise programs on individuals with intellectual disabilities (ID). This meta-analysis analyzed 67 effect sizes and 14 studies and calculated the standardized mean difference in effect size. The unit of analysis for overall effects was the study, and the sub-group analysis focused…

A literature review was conducted on the effectiveness of activity schedules. Twenty three studies that a) were peer-reviewed, b) were experimental, c) implemented activity schedule as a primary intervention, d) incorporated multiple activities, and e) aimed to teach learners to self-manage individual schedules were included in the review. The…

Background: Although about 15 to 50 percent of people with intellectual disabilities (ID) living in residential settings suffer from sleep problems, scant attention is paid to these problems. Most available studies focus on pharmaceutical solutions. In this study we focus on improving sleep in people with intellectual disabilities living in…

Progressive-ratio (PR) schedules were used to identify the break point (i.e., the last schedule value completed) for 2 reinforcers under single and concurrent schedules. After the respective break points were established, the same reinforcers were presented under concurrent fixed-ratio (FR) schedules that were yoked to the break points obtained…

The use of a portable schedule prompting system to increase independence and self-regulation in time management was compared to use of a written schedule with 12 adults with mental retardation. Results supported the utility of a Palmtop computer with schedule prompting software to increase independence in the performance of vocational and daily…

A color code system has been found effective in scheduling primary level educable mentally retarded children to use learning centers. (SBH)

A study compared two methods for programming and thinning noncontingent reinforcement (NCR) schedules during the treatment of self-injurious behavior (SIB) of three adults with mental retardation. Results found that both schedules were effective in initially reducing SIB and in maintaining response suppression as the schedules were thinned.…

A rescheduling plan for dormitories housing the profoundly retarded is proposed which would involve reversing the sleep rhythm for some residents and allowing a large reduction in the resident attendant ratio with no increase in staff or monies and with more economical use of institutional facilities. (Author)

This publication examines production scheduling procedures for sheltered workshops. The manual includes three major sections: (1) the importance and benefits of production scheduling; (2) how-to information on performing basic scheduling in the workshop; and (3) answers to the question, What makes production scheduling work? The scheduling…

A study involving three adults with mental retardation found engagement in typical adult activities was greater when picture schedules were provided. The schedules provided a reminder for the adults and teaching counselors, provided an easy reference to assist them in determining the next activity, and reduced transition time between activities.…

Scheduling of planned activities in a classroom for 11 trainable mentally retarded adolescents was investigated. (Author/CL)

A study analyzed the effects of two initiation techniques on community leisure participation during free time for six adults with mild to moderate mental retardation. The two interventions, calendar and telephone prompts, were both found to have a positive relationship with the initiation of community leisure activities. (Author/CR)

A prototype for a high school vocational special education program for educable mentally handicapped children is offered as a possible design for school systems. Six concerns are dealt with to provide some direction: objectives of the program, eligibility for the program, staffing needs, length, curriculum, and departmental as well as cooperative…

Presented are guidelines for the use of learning centers to implement individualized instruction with elementary grade educable mentally retarded students. After an introduction, sections focus on the following topics: goals, objectives, the meaning of learning centers, operation of learning centers, classroom design, and starting the day. The…