The effectiveness of a prescriptive teaching program on the reading, arithmetic, and linguistic development of 35 institutionalized mentally retarded children (mean age 12 years) was investigated. A prescriptive, precision teaching approach was used, along with positive reinforcement in the curriculum areas of reading, mathematical computations,…

Guidelines (established at the Syracuse Development Center) for conducting human research with institutionalized mentally retarded persons are discussed, particularly in relation to research in behavior modification. After a literature review, the five step procedure suggested by the Center is listed with such steps as submitting a proposal which…

The effectiveness of various procedures in maintaining attendance at activities of residents at a geriatric facility was examined. A special, intermittently programmed or delayed consequence for attendance was added to regularly scheduled activities. Attendance at activities with and without the consequence was compared. Later, antecedent events…

Response-cost refers to a procedure whereby a positive reinforcer is lost or some penalty is invoked following a specific misbehavior. In an alternate procedure called Differential Reinforcement of Other Responses (DRO), a reinforcing stimulus is delivered when a particular response is not emitted for a specific interval of time. This study…

This study reports an experimentally designed evaluation of Reality Orientation. Twelve elderly residents were chosen for the experimental group and 13 residents were chosen for the no-treatment control group. Both classroom Reality Orientation and 24-hour Reality Orientation were introduced on the experimental floor. A pretest-posttest control…

The Cottage A Ward Behavior Modification Project at the Orient State Institute was designed to implement behavior modification techniques with 67 retarded child residents. Major project objectives included developing self-help skills (such as toilet training); eliminating undesirable behaviors (such as head banging); teaching behavior modification…

The move from formal institution living to an independent type of living situation was assessed in 18 mentally retarded adults with high (61-84) and low (56-39) IQ scores. Prior to and 6 months after the semi-independent living situation, Ss were administered the following measures: the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale, the AAMD (American…

One hundred and fifty-three prison inmates were interviewed and administered the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory. Ratings were made of each inmate based on the interview using a scale which yielded a measure of Interpersonal Maturity. The MMPI data showed that over one-half the population were in diagnostic categories that could be…

A comprehensive toothbrushing program including detailed task analysis and specific training procedures was developed and evaluated for eight institutionalized mentally retarded adolescents (mean IQ 43.1). The first group of four Ss received token plus social reinforcement while the second group received only social reinforcement. All eight Ss…

This study measures the performance of Indiana state institutions against current hospital library standards, estimates the cost of bringing library service up to minimum standards, proposes alternate administrative patterns for institutional library services in Indiana, recommends priorities, and proposes a plan for phasing-in the improvement of…

Tests were administered to 209 educable mentally handicapped children (mean age 10.8, mean IQ 77) to determine factors related to speech hearing. Results indicated that mental age, intelligence quotient, physiological age, institutionalization, and organic bases for retardation were not significantly related either to speech reception threshold or…

Included in a handbook are discussions on general information for dental health for the institutionalized retarded, their need for dental care, the attendant's role in providing care, dental information for the attendant, how and when to use a toothbrush, care of toothbrushes and equipment, and indications of abnormal mouth conditions. Information…

"Modern Methods of Criminal Rehabilitation" was the subject of a conference held in Chazy, New York. The institution dealt with was the Diagnostic and Treatment Center at Clinton Prison in New York. A movie "A New Way to Prepare for a New Life" presented an overview of the rehabilitation program for multiple offenders. A transcript of the film is…

The distorting notions of the deficit and different Afro-American subculture have led white psychologists and guidance counselors to diagnose incorrectly behavior aberrations in Black children. A case study of a Black child who was hastily diagnosed and institutionalized as brain damaged, retarded, and psychotic illustrates this point. A…

The objective of the study was to identify and analyze practices and procedures, rules and regulations, and public laws which hinder or prevent inmate training and postrelease employment and to recommend necessary modifications. Members of the project staff reviewed the literature on the subject and sought information and advice from consultants…