Training Adults with Intellectual Disabilities to Use Leisure Activities in an Institutional Setting: An Evaluation of an Activities Manager Routine

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Abstract
This study evaluated the effects of a leisure activities program for six adults with intellectual disabilities in an institutional setting. Specifically, using a BCBCD experimental design, the study compared the effects of a “prompting independent use of activities” procedure and a more intensive “activities manager” routine on levels of engagement in activities, vocalisation, self- stimulatory behaviour, disruptive behaviour, and staff implementation of procedures. Results showed that the activities manager routine was the more effective of the two conditions and produced a marked increase in levels of engagement, which maintained at follow up. However, there was little change in resident vocalization, self-stimulation or disruptive behaviour. Social validation measures also indicated that staff perceived the activities manager procedure more favourably than “prompting independent use of activities”. Staff implemented both procedures accurately, but there was little evidence of generalization of staff behaviour to less structured settings. Implications of the results for institution-wide activities programs are discussed.