In vivo training of a fire emergency skill with a severely retarded adult

A behavioral training program of shaping, stimulus control and contingent reinforcement (primary and social) procedures was utilized to teach required survival skills to a 43-year-old severely retarded man. All training was conducted in vivo with his residential living unit, initially by a psychologist and subsequently by residential staff personnel. Using an AB design, effects of intervention were immediate, with skill acquisition achieved in 2 weeks and maintained at a 1-year follow-up.