Current issues in staff training

Staff competence in the application of behavioral techniques is critical to improve quality of life for persons with a developmental disability. Development of efficient staff training programs is therefore of great importance. This paper describes some of the procedures most frequently used in staff training research. Research in this area is reviewed in relation to client outcomes as a function of staff training, maintenance of staff skills, and transfer of staff skills across settings, clients, and programs. Current concerns and further improvements in behavioural techniques, acquisitional strategies, and assessment are discussed.