Reducing inappropriate verbalizations of a retarded adult

Social feedback was investigated as a treatment strategy for reducing inappropriate verbalizations by a retarded adult in a vocational-training program. Treatment procedures were introduced as a combination of three components: praise for not verbalizing inappropriately, reprimands, and instruction. Additional investigations were made into procedures for withdrawing treatment, while maintaining the corrected verbal behavior. Results of the study indicated that the social-feedback procedures were effective in reducing inappropriate verbalizations. Results of withdrawing all social-feedback components at once suggested that the treatment gains would not be maintained; however, fading social-feedback components sequentially was effective in maintaining low levels of inappropriate verbalizations. Further research into multiple-component training packages for changing and maintaining verbal behavior may provide a means for training more skills leading to job success for mentally retarded adults.