The literature on symbolic forms of communication was reviewed, and an experimental program was designed to teach a single set of vocabulary to a group of four institutionalized profoundly retarded blind/mute adults through the use of gestures. Literature about deaf/blind persons suggested the use of coactive movement techniques and facilitation…

Although the augmental value of exercise to behavioral weight control programs has been suggested, demonstration of this value is dependent upon an assessment of adherence to change in eating habits and activity patterns. Self-report measures of adherence were obtained from overweight college women undergoing treatment that involved either dietary…

The use of paradoxical interventions and brief therapy interdictions with a population of emotionally disturbed adolescents (males and females ages 13-18) attending a semi-residential alternative school was investigated. Paradoxical interventions were made by the psychological staff for purposes of management and change of withdrawn, acting out…

The efficacy of training parents as behavior modifiers of problem behaviors displayed by their seven-year-old severely retarded son was investigated in relationship to targeted problem behaviors including throwing objects, refusing to comply with parental commands, and refusing to sit in a chair at a table. In order to deal with the child's…

The Residential Youth Center, based in the inner city, was established to house those "high risk" youths who were not being reached by existing manpower programs. The staff consisted of indigenous, nonprofessional personnel who worked intensively with families. The project was able to effect tremendous behavioral changes in dozens of…

In order to provide training for counselors of American Indian youth in higher education, this program presented course material related to the development of counseling skills; sought to improve understanding of human behavior and personality characteristics of American Indian youth in higher education; and provided familiarity with some of the…

A rationale for the establishment of human rights review procedures within local education agencies is presented, focusing on students who have severe behavior problems with or without mental retardation, for whom intrusive behavioral treatments are considered. Topics discussed include informed consent, committee review, due process, and least…

A consultation model provided technical assistance in the areas of behavior management and curriculum design for the treatment of severe behavior problems exhibited by persons with severe/profound retardation and dual sensory impairments (deaf/blind). Four of the five clients showed significant behavioral improvements as a result of the…

Examines Garfield and Bergin's "Handbook of Psychotherapy and Behavior Change," which emphasizes that marital and family therapy are a type of psychotherapy. Analyzes major findings about nonfamily psychotherapies, applying them to family therapy, and draws conclusions regarding therapists' thinking, emphasizing need for studying applicability of…

Intermediate grade children (N=24) nominated by teachers for aggressive or hostile behavior were assigned to experimental or control groups, with experimental group receiving a group counseling intervention focusing on cognitive behavior techniques, modeling, role playing, and positive reinforcement. Results suggest that, compared to controls,…

Special education teachers should involve their students in developing and implementing a successful contingency management system by including them in such activities as selecting target behaviors, choosing reinforcers, writing and reviewing behavioral contracts, and evaluating the system. Guidelines are presented for eliciting student attitudes…

This study examined the effect of increasing the frequency of positive self-referent verbal statements upon both overt and reported self-esteem in children with adjustment problems. Subjects were boys in special schools. Results showed a significant difference in overt self-esteem, but not in other dependent variables. (LMO)

Discusses the causes of insomnia, its detection, and various types of treatment. (SRT)

This study, the fifth in a series focusing on the communication of power in the classroom and its role in student learning, investigated the relationship between teachers' use of behavior alteration techniques and student learning, and the impact of teachers' communication training and student quality on the use of these techniques. (PD)

Compared the effectiveness of individual therapy and therapist-led group therapy based on a videotape modeling program with mothers of 35 conduct-disordered children. Results showed both treatments offered equivalent and sustained improvement for parents and children, but the videotape modeling group format was more cost-effective. (JAC)