This article develops the position that self-management training can provide a crucial component in the education of educable mentally retarded (EMR) individuals. The strategies of self-monitoring/reinforcement and self-instruction are defined and related to increased performance on academic/vocational/self-help tasks. It is suggested that a combination of behavior-management and self-management strategies be utilized to enable the EMR person to shift from dependent to independent cognitive, academic, and social behaviors. Suggestions for educators are offered.
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