Peer rejection is a common experience for youth with emotional and behavioral disabilities and it is associated with increased risk of negative short- and long-term outcomes. There is a high premium on interventions that can improve the social status and functioning of these youth. Positive Peer Reporting (PPR) is a behavior analytic intervention…

This study focused on approaches to curriculum, as well as school, principal, and student characteristics in secondary day treatment and residential psychiatric schools. A national random sample of 148 principals responded to a survey. No statistically significant differences existed between respondent and nonrespondent schools with regard to…

Increased knowledge of complex behaviors such as pica is needed to improve the support and services in the community for individuals with intellectual disability (ID). Though the prevalence of pica has been documented extensively in institutionalized settings, few studies have explored its etiology. The aim of this study is to explore the…

Research has shown a positive correlation between time spent on homework and learning. However, students often engage in off-task behaviors to escape the demands of homework. Youth with emotional or behavioral disorders (EBD) are especially likely to engage in off-task behaviors. Effective interventions to increase on-task behavior during homework…

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationships among students' disruptive and violent behavior and staff's use of proactive and reactive strategies in a secure residential treatment center serving delinquent adolescent males. One hundred hours of observational data were collected, and linear regression models were used to explore the…

Girls (11-15 years old) with behavior problems have been involved in a behavior modification (token economy) program designed to provide in-depth assessment, individualized treatment, and transitions to less restrictive environments. (CL)

Examined effect of locked behavioral/cognitive treatment setting on Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory and Jesness Inventory scores of conduct disordered adolescent inpatients. Pre- and posttest scores for 30 male and 20 female patients showed statistically significant changes on both inventories. Males responded to treatment more…

Describes the Wediko Children's Services program in Boston and the Boys Town Center for Adolescent and Family Spirituality in Boys Town, Nebraska. These residential treatment programs for at-risk and troubled youth help young people address inappropriate sexual behaviors and learn alternative skills to create positive and healthy relationships.…

Clinician diagnoses of conduct disorder (CD) were compared to the diagnoses of CD generated by a structured interview against an observed criterion. Participants were 534 youth from a large residential program in the Midwest for delinquent youth. Rates of in-program CD behaviors were gathered from staff observations of the youth over a 9-month…

Presents Life Space Interview (LSI), effective intervention strategy for use during crisis work with troubled students, as it was applied to case of eight-year-old boy attending Option III class for emotionally handicapped students when he accompanied class to mall for holiday shopping trip. Following interview are instructional comments on the…

A program was adapted to serve hearing impaired children with emotional and behavior disorders. The residential program currently serves 10 students with a treatment staff that includes therapists and educators. (CL)

A study investigated whether youth (n=99) discharged from a short-term residential facility and reunited with their parents had a subsequent placement. The number of self-reported personal problems at intake significantly predicted a shorter time to subsequent placement disruption. The number of prior formal placements also tended to predict…

This intervention targets distortions in thinking which contribute to conflict with students and staff. After numerous assault charges in her school, June was placed in residential treatment. During her first sixty days, she experienced several crisis situations which included assaults on staff and students, physical restraints, and eventual…

This study compared 41 students with severe behavioral disorders (attending either day or residential programs) on language measures. No significant differences were found between groups; both groups showed receptive and expressive language deficits. However, teachers rated students in the day program higher on conversational skills. Also,…

Evaluation of a training procedure to improve staff skills in the preventative and reactive management of severely challenging behaviors in a small residential treatment unit found reduced (though not statistically significant) behavioral incidents, use of major reactive strategies (restraint and emergency medication), and staff and resident…