Teaching adults with developmental disabilities to problem solve using electronic flowcharts in a simulated vocational setting

Villante et al. (2021) worked with adults who have developmental disabilities. They wanted to see if these adults could learn to solve new job problems on their own.

First, the adults got brief BST on one problem. Then they used an iPod Touch flowchart to guide themselves. The team tested if the adults could solve brand-new problems with only a short verbal reminder.

The adults learned the flowchart steps quickly. When a new problem came up, they opened the iPod and followed the arrows.

With just a quick verbal cue like "use your chart," they solved untrained tasks. Skills moved to new settings and lasted without extra teaching.

Fisch (1998) did something similar with paper flowcharts for parents. The idea is the same: a simple map guides behavior. Villante updates the map from paper to iPod.

Goodwin et al. (2012) showed preschoolers with delays could follow picture prompts on new tasks. Villante extends that idea to adults and job tasks.

Sarber et al. (1983) and Zukerman et al. (2019) both used BST plus handheld aids for adults with ID. Villante keeps the BST recipe but swaps the skill to problem-solving and the aid to a self-guiding flowchart.

You can give an adult one short BST lesson and a free flowchart app. After that, the iPod becomes the prompt, not you. This cuts staff time and builds real independence. Try it next time you need to teach office or kitchen problem-solving.