Focus on communication: improving interaction between staff and residents who have severe or profound mental retardation.

The purpose of the present research project was to examine change in interactive behaviors between staff and residents of facilities that serve individuals with mental retardation. Twelve staff members were trained using an adapted component of the Nursing Child Assessment Satellite Training model, the Mental Retardation/Developmental Disabilities Adaptation of the Nursing Child Assessment Feeding Scale. Data indicated some slight increases in positive interactive staff behaviors with some small indications of generalization to another task and maintenance over a 6-month period in one setting. Little or inconsistent change was indicated in resident behaviors. Recommendations are made for further investigation of factors related to behavior change in staff and residents.