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The principal goal of behavior treatment for retarded clients is that of modifying behavior as it occurs in a given environment in such a manner that it becomes more appropriate to that environment. The therapeutic or change agents can involve a variety of persons other than the counselor, teacher, and client—this may include parents, peers, work supervisors and others who can provide supportive influences. Education and rehabilitation programs should be tailored to the occupational and social environment of the retarded client and designed to teach those behavior patterns that are relevant to that environment. Additionally, the work tasks for which retarded clients are trained should be highly structured and routine. Excessive demand for adaptability or decision making is a major cause of training failure for retarded clients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study compared the types of social interactions among groups of adults with mental retardation who also were characterized as demonstrating or not demonstrating difficulties of conduct. Using an Interaction Assessment Protocal, participants were observed during their daily activities at randomly selected periods throughout the day. The specific roles of an interaction (initiate or receive), the type of communication (Mand or Non-Mand), relevant affective behaviors, and the outcome of communications (comply, ignore, resist) were noted. No significant differences were obtained between groups of persons with and without conduct disorders on any of the interaction dimensions evaluated. Limitations of these findings and implications for further investigations are offered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Behavioral procedures are used frequently with persons who present the dual handicapping conditions of mental retardation and chronic behavior difficulties. It is suggested that behavior management and behavior control procedures are used excessively and at the expense of active behavior treatment. It is recommended that behavior treatment staff be more discriminating in use of these classes of procedures, and that the major focus of behavioral programs be that of active treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper reviews research data concerned with social and emotional adjustment characteristics of mildly retarded children and adolescents. Contrary to a number of statements appearing in various texts and review articles, little is known concerning the type and frequency of occurrence of behavior adjustment problems among the mildly retarded. In addition, there is no suitable evidence to indicate that the adjustment level of special class children is superior to that of retarded children attending regular grades. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Discusses the administration of Berko's test of morphology to two groups of educable mentally retarded (EMR) public school boys who were matched on chronological age and mental age respectively to groups of normal public school boys. Analysis of results using teachers' responses as criteria for correctness; Finding that neither group of EMRs performed as well as the normal boys; Need for all children to first learn the adult structural system of English in order to use adult English.