Reducing agitated—Disruptive behavior of mentally retarded residents of community group homes: The role of self-recording and peer-prompted self-recording

Agitated—disruptive behavior such as cursing, hitting, kicking, throwing objects, and verbal threats from three mentally retarded residents From community group homes was reduced using procedures that included a self-recorded DRO, point fines for agitated—disruptive behavior, social skills training, and relaxation training. The agitated-disruptive behavior of all three subjects was markedly reduced as a result of the use of these procedures in combination. Further, with all subjects, the self-recorded DRO appeared to be critical to the effectiveness of the treatment program. Although subjects did not self-record accurately when they displayed agitated—disruptive behavior, the self-recording appeared to be effective in recruiting social approval from others in the environment when a specified period of time had passed without the occurence of agitated—disruptive behavior.