When hyperactive boys were taking placebos, they were involved in more negative incidents, their handwriting was poorer, and their names were called more frequently than when the boys were taking methylphenidate. (Author)

Perceptions toward school of 15 behavior problem truant girls were examined and compared to those of 15 nontruant girls and 15 truant boys (all junior high). Consistently, the truant girls showed less negative perceptions and less asocial behavior than the boys. The girls were more variable in behavior and attitudes. (Author)

The behavioral symptoms of children with speech and language disorders (mean age approximately 6 years) were studied with a teacher and a parent questionnaire. A factor analysis produced similar factors for both questionnaires: Hyperactivity-Conduct, Affect, and Language. An Asocial factor was also found with the teacher questionnaire. (Author)

The paper describes some observational procedures that can be employed by the special teacher or learning assistant to determine the levels of either appropriate social behavior or deviant responding in the classroom. (Author/SBH)

Characteristics and management of the passive aggressive child in classroom situations are presented in the article. (PHR)

The Vane Kindergarten Test (VKT) is judged to have limited usefulness in early detection of learning handicaps for two reasons: (a) Its reliability is too low to allow discrimination between individuals, and (b) The ability of the VKT to predict problem behaviors is quite limited. (Author)

This study examined structural characteristics and environmental variables in the stereotypic behaviors of eight individuals with developmental disabilities. Findings indicated that structural characteristics (percentage of time, bout length, and bout length variability) were highly correlated. Also, stereotyped behaviors were more likely to occur…

Examined associations between tympanic membrane (TM) temperature asymmetries and biobehavioral attributes of 4- to 8- year-old children. Found shared patterns of associations that linked TM temperature lateralities to individual differences in behavior and socioaffective difficulties. Found that warmer left TMs were associated with affectively…

A study of 41 adults with mental retardation (11 with Prader-Willi syndrome and 30 with mental retardation due to other causes--13 overweight and 17 with normal weight) sought to determine differences in food preferences. While controls selected sweet food over larger quantities of unpreferred food, individuals with Prader-Willi syndrome selected…

Two case examples (a toddler with severe developmental delays and a 7-year old with severe mental retardation) illustrating effects of meal schedule and food quantity on displays of problematic behavior are offered. Brief functional analyses of aberrant behavior provided useful information for interpreting distinct patterns of behavior. (DB)

This study compared maladaptive behavior in 23 people with Prader-Willi syndrome due to paternal deletion and in 23 age- and gender-matched subjects with maternal uniparental disomy. Controlling for IQs, the deletion cases showed significantly higher maladaptive ratings, more symptom-related distress, and more behavior problems. Findings suggest a…

A survey of the families of 62 persons with Prader-Willi syndrome examined the prevalence, topographies, and specific body locations of self-injurious behaviors. Self-injury was reported for 81% of the participants. Skin-picking was the most prevalent form with the front of the legs and head being disproportionately targeted. Incidence also varied…

Explored externalizing behavior problems in suburban Head Start children. Found parents identified almost one-quarter of children as having externalizing problems in the borderline/clinical range, with twice as many girls as boys having borderline/clinical levels of behavior problems. Found children with parent-identified externalizing problems…

The use of sleep scheduling and a daytime routine for the treatment of circadian rhythm disorder was found helpful in decreasing a blind 2-year old's nighttime wake periods and daytime sleepiness. (DB)

Researches the relation between hoarding and obsessive-compulsive disorders (OCD). In both college student and community samples, hoarding was associated with higher scores on the Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale. Hoarding also was associated with higher levels of general psychopathology as measured by the Brief Symptom Inventory. Results…