The Use of Operant Techniques in Teaching Severely Retarded Clients Work Habits

Abstract

Four severely retarded clients who had never adapted to the work requirements of a sheltered workshop underwent a special training program based on operant conditioning techniques. Because of the low intellectual level of the subjects, and the general complexity of the work tasks available in the workshop, it was decided to first teach them the general principle of a job, using a simpler work task. The model task was broken down into four stages and taught in isolation from the other clients in the workshop. Each stage was taught in gradual steps with concrete reinforcements for successful responses. Once the model task was mastered, a work task from the workshop was introduced. After the subjects mastered this task, they were returned to the workshop where they continued to receive reinforcements. Three of the four subjects successfully completed the training and are currently achieving an acceptable productivity level in the workshop.