Teaching self-protection skills to persons with mental retardation

A curriculum for teaching self-protection skills to eight adults with mild mental retardation was evaluated. The curriculum, which was presented in a small-group format across nine 25 to 30 minute sessions, uses instructions, modeling, rehearsal, feedback, and praise to teach skills needed to discriminate and safely respond to abduction and sexual abuse situations. Self-protection skills were assessed in in situ simulations involving solicitations from adults. Results showed that all but one subject learned the criterion skills and maintained them at a 6-month follow-up. Strengths and limitations of the study were discussed and future research directions suggested.