Using simultaneous prompting to teach independent living and leisure skills to adults with severe intellectual disabilities

The acquisition of independent living and leisure skills enables adults to experience an enhanced quality of life by increasing competence, self-reliance, and the development of autonomy. This study examined the effectiveness of simultaneous prompting to teach behavior chains (i.e., independent living and leisure skills) to adults with SID individually in their home environments. Participants included two adults with SID receiving services from a not-for-profit agency that provides community-based services and supports to persons with disabilities. The results of this study are the first to indicate the effectiveness of simultaneous prompting to teach independent living and leisure skills to adults with SID using a one-on-one format in their home environment. Both participants learned three different skills within 12–28 sessions and maintained each skill 1, 2, and 4 weeks after mastery.

► Simultaneous prompting used to teach behavior chains. ► Adults with severe intellectual disabilities participated. ► Adults learned leisure and independent living skills. ► First study using one-on-one format in home environment.