Effectiveness of a Metacognitive Shopping Intervention for Adults with Intellectual Disability Secondary to Down Syndrome

Background: The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of a metacognitive strategy-training intervention on the shopping performance of adults with intellectual disability secondary to Down syndrome. Method: A single subject ABA design across six participants was employed and included a 2-week baseline data collection period, followed by an 8-week intervention phase, and a 2-week follow-up data collection period 1 month after intervention end. Time, frequency, and level of assistance required by the participants to demonstrate targeted shopping skills were measured during baseline, intervention, and follow-up probe phases. Results: As a group, the participants experienced statistically significant improvements in time (x2 = 144.25, px2 = 38.00, px2 = 207.08, pZ = -8.50, pd = 0.92), frequency (Z = -4.07, pd = -2.60), and level of assistance (Z = -9.39, pd = -2.44). Results calculated for individual participant performance mirrored group results. Conclusion: The findings of this study suggest that the intervention effectively improved the participants’ shopping performance. Further research is warranted.