A Comparative Study of the Effectiveness of the “Most to Least” and “Constant Time Delay” Procedures in Training Girls with Moderate and Severe Intellectual Disability on some Independent Skills

Abstract

The aim of the study is to recognize and compare the effectiveness of the two procedures (Most to Least Procedure and Constant Time Delay Procedure) in helping girls with Moderate and Severe Intellectual Disability to acquire some independent skills, specifically the tooth brushing skill. The number of trials and the period needed to acquire the skills, as well as the Percentage of Errors will determine the more effective procedure. This study used the semi-empirical research method. The sample study is composed of 6 girls registered and engaged at the General Qualification Center in Malaz, Riyadh city. The girls are divided into two equal groups and are subsequently trained to brush their teeth. The Most to Least Procedure was used with the first group and the Procedure of Constant Time Delay was used with the second group. The study findings showed that use of the Most to Least Procedure was effective, as the girls in the first group acquired the skill (tooth brushing) with a success rate of 100%. In addition, the girls were able to maintain this skill and generalize it. The rate of maintenance reached 100%, and the rate of generalization reached 82% - 94%. The procedure of Constant Time Delay also proved to be effective as the first and third girls acquired the targeted skill with a 100% success rate, while the second girl acquired it with 94% success rate. The ability to maintain this skill ranged between 64% - 100%, whereas the ability to generalize ranged between 88% - 94%. The study shows that the use of Constant Time Delay is more effective than the Most to Least Procedure in terms of the number of trials and time taken to acquire the skills, while maintaining a low percentage of errors. Girls acquired the skill of tooth brushing through use of Constant Time Delay in 64 sessions, while the total time taken to make all the girls acquire the skill was 486 minutes, with a percentage of errors of 5%. In the Most to Least Procedure, girls acquired the skill in 72 sessions and the total time taken for making all girls acquire the skill was 552 minutes with a total percentage of errors of 7%.

Keywords: Most to Least Procedure, Constant Time Delay, Independent Skills, Moderate & Severe Intellectual Disability