Self-Instruction in the Training of Functional Skills: A Single Case Study

Abstract

This article presents a treatment programme for the development of personal hygiene behaviour in a patient who had herpes simplex encephalitis 5 years earlier. The patient has severe memory and organisational problems, but is of average overall intelligence. The programme consists, in part, of chaining a series of nine discrete activities by using linking phrases. The programme allowed the patient to structure his behaviour and wash in a well organised non-repetitive way. The results are discussed in the light of previous failures to affect behaviour using apparently similar methods.