Toward Generalization of Appropriate Leisure and Social Behavior in Severely Handicapped Youth: Pinball Machine Use

Abstract

This study demonstrated the acquisition and generalization into community settings of a chronologically age-appropriate leisure skill with severely and profoundly mentally retarded adolescents. The skill involved operating an electronic pinball machine independently. The study evaluated the effects of an instructional program in a multiple baseline across individuals, with frequent generalization probes into the community. Systematic instructional procedures were utilized that involved verbal instructions, modeling, physical guidance, and social reinforcement. Modeling was also used to help reduce inappropriate social behaviors, such as self-stimulation actions that took place in the community setting. The results indicated that participants could acquire and generalize use of an electronic pinball machine leisure skill effectively and learn to exhibit appropriate social behavior.