Enhancing independent time-management skills of individuals with mental retardation using a palmtop personal computer

Achieving greater independence for individuals with mental retardation depends upon the acqui-sition of several key skills, including time-management and scheduling skills. The ability to perform tasks according to a schedule is essential to domains like independent living and employment. The use of a portable schedule prompting system to increase independence and self-regulation in time-management for individuals with mental retardation was examined. Twelve people with mental retardation participated in a comparison of their use of the technology system to perform tasks on a schedule with use of a written schedule. Results demonstrated the utility of a Palmtop computer with schedule prompting software to increase independence in the performance of vocational and daily living tasks by individuals with mental retardation. Achieving greater independence for individuals with mental retardation depends upon the acquisi-tion of a variety of important skills in a wide array of life domains, including such areas as work