THE DIRECT AND GENERALIZED EFFECTS OF SELF INSTRUCTIONS AND PICTURE PROMPTS ON VOCATIONAL TASK PERFORMANCE

Abstract

We evaluated the effects of self instructions and picture prompts on vocational task performance of three workers with mild to moderate mental retardation. The workers were asked to perform a packaging task that changed daily. Picture prompts were always present. In the verbal training phase, workers learned self instructions regarding the use of picture prompts to cue their performance on the packaging task. In the verbal and task training phase, workers learned to use the self instructions and picture prompts together to guide their task performance. The results showed that verbal training was sufficient for one worker, but that the other two workers required the combined verbal and task training to improve their task performance. For all subjects, there was evidence of generalization of the self management strategies and task performance and maintenance of both over time.