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Assessing choice-making and preference in adults with profound mental retardation across community and center-based settings

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Abstract

We examined choice and preference in four adults with profound mental retardation within the context of a community-based and center-based location. Prior to the preference analysis, an independent selecting response was empirically assessed and validated for each adult. Results of the preference analysis showed that in the community site there was a higher cumulative frequency of choice-making responses towards beverages for all participants, and an indication of beverage preference for two of the four participants. Conversely, in the center-based setting, there were fewer responses made towards the beverages, and no indication of preference for any of the four adults. These results remained consistent during maintenance checks at 2, 4, 6, and 8 weeks post-intervention.

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Belfiore, P.J., Browder, D.M. & Mace, C. Assessing choice-making and preference in adults with profound mental retardation across community and center-based settings. J Behav Educ 4, 217–226 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01544114

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