title: The independent use of self-instructions for the acquisition of untrained multi-step tasks for individuals with an intellectual disability: A review of the literature.
abstract: Systematic instruction on multi-step tasks (e.g., cooking, vocational skills, personal hygiene) is common for individuals with an intellectual disability. Unfortunately, when individuals with disabilities turn 22-years-old, they no longer receive services in the public school system in most states and systematic instruction often ends (Bouck, 2012). Rather than focusing instructional time on teacher-delivered training on the acquisition of specific multi-step tasks, teaching individuals with disabilities a pivotal skill, such as using self-instructional strategies, may be a more meaningful use of time. By learning self-instruction strategies that focus on generalization, individuals with disabilities can continue acquiring novel multi-step tasks in post-secondary settings and remediate skills that are lost over time. This review synthesizes the past 30 years of research related to generalized self-instruction to learn multi-step tasks, provides information about the types of self-instructional materials used, the ways in which participants received training to use them, and concludes with implications for practitioners and recommendations for future research.
authors.affiliation: The University of Georgia, United States.
authors.forename: Katie A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.affiliation: The University of Georgia, United States; UGA, College of Education, 518 Aderhold Hall, Athens, GA 30602, United States. Electronic address: sallybshepley@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Sally B
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Shepley
authors.affiliation: The University of Georgia, United States.
authors.forename: Jennifer L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Alexander
authors.affiliation: The University of Georgia, United States.
authors.forename: Kevin M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Ayres
mesh_terms: D005793:Generalization, Psychological; D006801:Humans; D008607:Intellectual Disability / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D007858:Learning; D011380:Programmed Instructions as Topic; D012648:Self Care / Q000379:methods*
keywords: Intellectual disability; Self-directed; Self-instruction; Self-prompting; Student-directed