Self-management of disruptive verbal ruminations by a mentally retarded adult

Chronic and high-rate disruptive verbal ruminations of a mentally retarded adult in a vocational training setting were successfully reduced following introduction of a multi-component, self-management intervention program. Self-management skills of self-monitoring, self-evaluation, self-consequation, and self-instruction were trained and then practiced in vivo. In addition to influencing the specific dependent disruptive rumination behaviors targeted for intervention, three collateral behaviors not specifically treated showed positive effects. A combined treatment withdrawal and modified changing criterion design was used to assess changes throughout phases of the study. Follow-up data obtained 6 months and again 12 months after termination of the program revealed durability of intervention effects. The practical, conceptual, and philosophic significance of these findings are noted.