| Abstract: | This study involves a program in which two groups of individuals with moderate mental retardation served as peer caregivers with two passive companions (trainees). The main question was whether each group would learn to plan and share daily activities with one trainee, increasing the trainee's activity level. Other questions were: (1) whether peer caregivers would enjoy working with the trainees; (2) whether the job of peer caregiver would occasion social/adaptive behaviors not usually observed in the peer caregivers' repertoire; and (3) whether staff would perceive program effects on peer caregivers' and trainees' behavior. Results showed that the groups of peer caregivers learned to perform independently and accurately, increasing and maintaining the activity of the trainees. Peer caregivers seemed to like (or at least not to mind) working with the trainees, and their job brought about social/adaptive behaviors not commonly seen in their repertoire. Staff ratings confirmed that the program had positive effects on trainees and peer caregivers. General implications of the findings are discussed. |
