Differential reinforcement of high rates of behaviour to increase work productivity in adults with intellectual disability

Abstract

Background Due to deficits in adaptive and cognitive functioning, productivity may pose challenges for individuals with intellectual disability in the workplace. Method Using a changing‐criterion embedded in a multiple baseline across participants design, we examined the effects of differential reinforcement of high rates of behaviour (DRH) on the rate of data entry (i.e., productivity) in four adults with intellectual disability. Results Although the DRH procedure increased the rate of correct data entry in all four participants, none of the participants achieved the criterion that we set with novice undergraduate students. Conclusions Our results indicate that DRH is an effective intervention to increase rate of correct responding in individuals with intellectual disability, but that achieving the same productivity as workers without disability may not always be possible.

A Comparison of Video-Based Interventions to Teach Data Entry to Adults With Intellectual Disabilities: A Replication and Extension

“…Finally, the participants' rate of correct responding increased but did not attain the same levels as would be expected from workers without disabilities. In a related study on productivity, our research team found that the mean rate of workers without disabilities was 31 correct responses per minute on the same tasks (McDuff et al, 2019). Whether or not society should expect individuals with disabilities to achieve the same level of productivity than their peers without disabilities remains open to debate (see Kirsh et al, 2009;Lysaght et al, 2012).…”