Effects of Basic Learning Skill Training on Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test Scores of Severely Disruptive, Low Skill Children

Eighteen mentally retarded children were selected for study because they exhibited low levels of skills in sitting, eye contact on command, and following other commands. Ten other children were selected because they showed high levels of those skills. High skill Ss were found to have higher scores on the Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test. Training ten low skill Ss to give eye contact, decrease out of seat behaviors, and follow other commands resulted in IQ increases. Very large changes in basic learning skills were found to be associated with far smaller, though important, changes in IQ. (CL)