In this discussion of childhood obesity, the medical and psychological problems associated with the condition are noted. Childhood obesity most likely results from an interaction of nutritional, psychological, familial, and physiological factors. Three factors--the family, low-energy expenditure, and heredity--are briefly examined. Early…

Describes psychological techniques, such as distraction and hypnotic imaginative involvement techniques, which have been found effective among chronically ill children and their parents in reducing anxiety and distress, and increasing the ability to cope with taxing medical procedures. Cases from research conducted in Vancouver, British Columbia…

Playful wrestling, splashing, fidgeting, chair-tilting, and a number of other behaviors by children often result in injuries, tantrums, or conflicts in families. Exact limits can be established in these instances with an intervention which integrates strategic, structural, and cognitive-behavioral approaches. Two case examples are presented and…

Presents a workable plan for all counselors who wish to establish cooperation and collaboration between parents and teachers concerning children's problems that involve achievement and misbehavior. A basic outline of how to implement a home-school token economy plan is presented with two case examples illustrating its use and effectiveness.…

This guide outlines a series of instructional strategies that have proven to be successful in educating children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). However, these techniques are also highly useful for all children. The three main components of a successful strategy for educating children with ADHD are academic instruction,…

The reduced continuing motivation effect is examined with regard to research, theory, and implications for practice. The description of research focuses primarily on studies conducted with preschool-aged or school-aged subjects. Explanations based on self-perception or attributional theory and learning theory are examined. (Author/PN)

Visual screening, a mildly aversive response suppression procedure in which the child's eyes are briefly covered, was evaluated across two studies for its effectiveness in reducing topographically similar and dissimilar stereotypic behaviors of four moderately or profoundly retarded children (aged 9 or 13 years). (Author)

The efficacy of reading remediation, which emphasizes phonic decoding, was examined in 61 children (ages 7 through 13 years) with pure reading disorders. Comparisons between pre- and post intervention data clearly support the efficacy of remediation. (MP)

Reports a follow-up of a behavioral self-control treatment of children's severe night fears. All but one of 40 children and their families significantly reduced or overcame night fears in a three-week training program. After three years, 31 of 34 families located had maintained improvement. (JAC)

Eight hyperactive children (6 to 11 years old) were treated with a behavioral intervention focusing on teacher and parent training over a period of 5 months. The results suggested that the combination of psychostimulant medication and behavior therapy may be more effective in the short term than either treatment alone. (Author)

Marked positive changes were observed in face and hand washing behavior over the 10 session behavior modification program which employed a chocolate milkshake as the major material reinforcer. (Author/DLS)

Evaluated the effects of a self-management intervention on the disruptive behavior of a first-grade student. Analysis indicated that low adult attention set the occasion for disruptive behavior. A self-management intervention, in which the child received adult attention contingent on appropriate behavior, reduced disruptive behavior. Implications…

Evaluates the effectiveness of a peer intervention for disruptive behavior which was based on the results of a classroom-based functional analysis. Results indicate that peer attention, rather than teacher attention or escape/timeout, was associated with the most disruptive classroom behavior, suggesting that peer attention can reduce such…

A study of three individuals with self-injurious behavior (SIB) evaluated a device designed for restraint fading with individuals who display hand-to-head SIB. Results demonstrated that stimulus control of SIB occurred in all individuals subsequent to restraint fading. The study also examined the effects of the rigid arm sleeves and restraint…

Concerns about noncontingent reinforcement (NCR) are illustrated in a case study of a 13-year-old girl with severe mental retardation who was demonstrating severe aggression. Her NCR treatment produced an extinction burst and incidental reinforcement. A brief omission contingency was added to the reinforcement schedule, which resulted in decreased…