Small-group training as an alternative to individual programs for profoundly retarded persons.

A comparison of group and individualized training methods was made by teaching 12 profoundly retarded men a series of imitative tasks under one of three program conditions. Each of the conditions was allotted 20 hours of training time from staff. The four members of the intact-group program received their 20 hours of instruction on a group basis. The four individual-program members had the training time divided between them and were taught separately. In a third program, the add-in group had the entry times of its membership staggered so that special attention could be given to each new member. The results indicated that the group programs were as effective as individual treatment for increasing imitative skills when staff time was held constant. Advantages of group programming were discussed in terms of increased activity and socialization for clients.