Professional development improves staff's implementation of rehabilitation programmes for children with severe-to-profound intellectual disability.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effectiveness of supervisory feedback and self-management on the acquisition and generalization of correct implementation of rehabilitation training programmes implemented by direct care staff.


METHODS
A non-concurrent multiple baseline design across three trainer-trainee dyads was used.


METHODS
Three staff members were trained in how to implement one-to-one teaching programmes with four children with profound-to-severe intellectual disability. Staff received feedback and were taught to self-manage their (in)correct trainer behaviour.


RESULTS
Supervisory feedback and self-management increased the mean percentage correct entry behaviour and reinforcement during training. Trainer's use of entry behaviour and reinforcement generalized across settings and trainees. As levels of response prompting for three trainers were already high during baseline, no firm statements could be made concerning its acquisition and generalization.


CONCLUSIONS
Staff can improve the accuracy of training as a result of feedback and/or self-management procedures in the rehabilitation of children with severe disabilities.
van Vonderen
Annemarie
A
Radboud University Nijmegen, Nijmegen, The Netherlands. a.vanvonderen@pwo.ru.nl
Duker
Pieter
P
Didden
Robert
R
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001521:Behavior Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D017028:Caregivers / Q000193:education*; D002648:Child; D002656:Child Day Care Centers; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007318:Inservice Training / Q000379:methods*; D008607:Intellectual Disability / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D008297:Male; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012655:Self-Evaluation Programs / Q000379:methods*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index