The study examined the development of self management skills with a total of 59 profoundly retarded adult Ss participating in two projects designed to improve skill in following instructions, sharing materials, and performing a simple vocational task (sanding). Criteria for self management was the performance of a task or following of an instruction without additional prompts or assistance. In the first study, Ss' self management skills were observed during group instruction in the sanding task and following two sets of instructions concerning social skills (such as "Come to me"). Results indicated that the criteria used effectively measured self management skills and that Ss did improve their self management skills as a result of the instructional program. During the second project, 47 Ss were given daily group training sessions in the same skills. Results indicated that the majority of the Ss learned to follow instructions and to interact socially with each other and the therapists as well as perform the sanding task. Self management skills demonstrably improved during the 8 weeks of training. Appended tables and figures provide detailed data for both studies. (DB)