Kumar, R.S. (PhD)Lulu, Timnit2018-10-192023-11-102018-10-192023-11-102005-06http://etd.aau.edu.et/handle/12345678/13002This study is aimed at investigating the methods used in training adaptive behavior skills to children labeled "moderately mentally retarded" at Sebste Negassi and Belay Zeleke no. 2 primary schools special units. The subjects of this study are thirty one children (17 boys and 14 girls) with moderate mental retardation and four teachers (two from each unit) who have special education training to teach children with disabilities (including those with mental retardation).Both were selected using purposive sampling method. Three data collection instruments were used -interview, document analysis and observation checklist. In order to analyze the data both qualitative and quantitative analysis were used. The result showed that teachers at both special units use different methods to train these children to function independently in attaining the abilities of self-care, communication, motor, personaClsocial andfunctional academics. Examples of the methods used were task analysis,modeling\demonstration,prompting(verbal and physical)question and answer method ,providing different examples with in the children's experience,etc. The result also showed that the children's level of functioning after the trallung on adaptive behavior skill areas mentioned earlier given has showed a significant improvement. Moreover the result showed that teachers face problems in teaching these children because of their uncooperativeness, restlessness, absenteeism, lack of teaching aids and lack of support from parents in encouraging their children practice the skills they are trained of at home. This study concluded that the training on adaptive behavior skill areas has made the children jimction independently, and the methods that are used have helped in presenting the lesson in a way the concepts could be grasped by the children. At last this study recommended that support from parents of children with mental retardation is mandatory in the teaching and learning process.enAdaptive Behavior Skills for ChildrenThesis