Direct methods of functional assessment--through which information is gathered by observing environment--behavior relations--vary with the degree to which environmental events are manipulated. Unstructured (ABC) assessments involve observing the occurrence of problem behavior without altering environmental events in any way. At the other extreme,…

This bibliography, which was compiled in conjunction with a review of the developmental disabilities literature focusing on interventions with challenging behavior, contains references for 151 articles from 15 journals. The bibliography, covering articles published between 1988 and 1992, updates an earlier version which covered 1976 through 1987.…

The booklet is intended to provide an overview of Tourette Syndrome, (TS), a neurological movement disorder characterized by multiple involuntary tics, uncontrollable vocalizations, and a range of behavior problems including attention deficit and hyperactivity. Typical characteristics of TS are described along with information on etiology,…

A comparison of the social activity of eight mothers with developmentally delayed, noncompliant children with that of eight mothers with nondelayed, noncompliant children indicated the latter group's social activity was significantly higher. This suggests that the previously reported depression of mothers of developmentally delayed children may be…

The self-injurious behavior of a 37-month-old, developmentally disabled, severely handicapped child was reduced with an overcorrection procedure, though no transfer of training to the home setting took place. (Author/DLS)

There should not be an intentional reduction of the technological focus in applied behavior analysis research to expand the theoretical focus. The manner in which applied behavior analysis has beneficially affected the field of developmental disabilities services demonstrates how technologically related research plays a necessary role. (JDD)

In this preliminary study, three parents who requested outpatient services for treatment of developmentally disabled children's problem behavior were taught to implement multiple treatment components. Therapists employed the most cost-efficient method first (i.e., written and verbal instructions) to teach prescribed behavior management strategies.…

We conducted functional analyses and identified reinforcers for problem behavior for three individuals with developmental disabilities. Based on results of the functional analysis, we evaluated the rate, probability, delay, and duration of reinforcement for problem and appropriate behavior during descriptive parent-child observations. Results…

Different genetic disorders predispose individuals to display specific, etiology-related profiles, personalities, and maladaptive behaviors. Using groups with genetic etiologies as stand-ins or proxies for a specific behavior or set of behaviors, one can then examine how others in the child's environment react and whether such reactions are…

As part of the Combating Autism Act of 2006, the members of the Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee (IACC) are required to develop an annual "Summary of Advances" to describe each year's top advances in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) research. These advances represent significant progress in the early diagnosis of ASD, understanding the…

We describe a training program to teach applied behavior analysis (ABA) knowledge competencies to paraprofessional staff (N = 47) at a habilitation services agency for adults with developmental disabilities. Before and following training, staff completed assessment of knowledge tests for three content areas: basic learning principles,…

Autism is a developmental disability that manifests as impairment in three primary areas: social interaction, communication and imaginative activities, and reactions to environmental stimuli. The appearance of autism spectrum disorder ranges from children who are very low functioning, nonverbal, stimulus seeking, aggressive, antisocial, and…

Information about "family matters" is vital to developing targeted interventions, reducing placement disruption, and enhancing outcome in fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD). The quality of the caregiving environment and family function are associated with long-term outcome in natural history study of individuals with FASD. This article…

This bibliography was compiled in conjunction with a research project that conducted a meta-analysis of the developmental disabilities treatment literature dealing with the deceleration of excess behaviors. It lists 318 relevant articles published between January 1976 and December 1987 in 18 psychology and special education journals. The articles…

The effect of a combined teacher-parent behavior management program on inappropriate behaviors in the school and in the homes of five preschool handicapped children is evaluated. The teacher/trainer collaborated with the parents to select a target behavior (finger chewing, cup throwing, screaming, spitting, hand licking) for each child. Training…