Effects of social-skills training in a community-based program.

The effects of social-skills training upon the behavior of 8 previously institutionalized mentally retarded adults, residing in community group homes were evaluated. In comparison to a control group, the subjects who received training showed substantial changes in the desirable direction for each behavior. Generalization to unfamiliar situations was also noted. The problems in placing retarded clients in the community without social-skills training and the potential disadvantages of inadequate training were discussed.