Training parents in groups as behavior modifiers of their mentally retarded children

Abstract

Natural and foster parents' groups were taught a number of principles of behavior modification and how to apply them to their retarded children. Group leaders used programmed booklets, modelling and behavior rehearsal, lecturing and discussion, weekly assignments and positive reinforcement. As weekly assignments, the parents read a programmed text, counted and charted their children's behavior, and intervened with reinforcement, extinction, time outs, modelling, cueing, and rehearsal procedures. Following completion of training in eleven groups, 27 of the 33 families entering the program successfully modified 55 of the 58 behaviors for which plans were initiated.