Before working, adolescents who later worked more than 20 hours per week were less engaged in school and granted more autonomy by their parents than other adolescents. Working more than 20 hours per week further disengaged adolescents from school, increased delinquency and drug use, furthered autonomy, and diminished self-reliance. (BC)

In this study, functional communication training alone and combined with extinction and/or punishment was evaluated for four clients with severe retardation, behavior problems, and communication deficits. Results showed that the combination of training plus punishment produced the largest and most consistent reductions in target behavior problems.…

This paper examines the functions of challenging behavior in individuals with mental retardation, methods for determining the function of a particular behavior, strategies for implementing initial communicative functions that compete with challenging behavior, and procedures that specifically address attention-motivated and…

Mothers (n=112) with young, middle childhood, or older children with developmental delays completed the Parenting Stress Index. Child Domain scores were high for all age groups, but Parent Domain scores were within normal limits. The middle childhood group was higher in both domains than other groups. Degree of handicap and behavior problems were…

Grandparents' and mothers' drug use predicted hyperactivity, psychosomatic complaints, and social problems for boys, and acting-out behaviors for boys and girls. Maternal drug use predicted fearfulness, hyperactivity, and social problems for boys, and developmental problems for boys and girls. (BC)

This article comments on a paper by Mitchell Yell (EC 221 141) which asserts that five common law principles of suspension and expulsion retain their significance after the Supreme Court's decision in Honig v Doe. The article examines factors impacting on placement of students with disabilities, including litigation; federal regulations; and…

This paper responds to a commentary (EC 600 331) on a previously published paper (EC 221 141) discussing the Supreme Court's decision in the Honig v Doe case and its impact on suspension and expulsion of students with handicaps and on student placement. The paper responds to arguments presented in the commentary and notes misconceptions about the…

The literature review finds valid the distinction within the diagnostic category of Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) of either the presence or absence of hyperactivity. ADD children without hyperactivity exhibit less serious conduct problems, are less impulsive, less rejected by peers, but more socially withdrawn, and more likely to exhibit…

Children (n=110, ages 2-17) placed in foster care as a result of sexual abuse were found to have similar behavioral problems and other attributes as children placed for other reasons. Sexually abused children exited foster care for planned permanent living arrangements at a significantly faster rate than nonsexually abused children. (Author/JDD)

This commentary affirms that the methodology proposed in a paper by Richard A. Winett and others (EC 601 539) may be useful in conducting social validity assessments and applying these assessment data to improve behavioral interventions. The study of accurate and valid assessment of consumer satisfaction is encouraged. (JDD)

This commentary on assessing the social validity of behavior-change programs examines which groups should be included in the assessment, whether social validity assessment should be required, and whether new methods are needed. The paper notes that social validation should be an interactive process between researcher and consumer. (JDD)

This study examined whether a "goodness of fit" theoretical model (applied to 53 families with and 62 families without children with learning disabilities) might help in understanding children's school performance. For both groups, children rated as a "poor fit" in the home demonstrated poorer classroom behavior and poorer achievement over the…

This study compared computer-assisted instruction and personal instruction with 4 children (ages 4-7) with autism. Although three subjects showed better motivation and fewer behavior problems in the computer-assisted condition, this did not affect their learning rate. (Author/DB)

The Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) was completed by parents of 93 prepubertal children evaluated for sexual abuse and 80 nonabused children. Sexually abused children had significantly more behavior problems, including depression, aggression, sleep and somatic complaints, hyperactivity, and sexual problems. At four-month follow-up, children with…

Psychologists, counselors, social workers, clergy, teachers, and others are often in the position of needing to train parents in parenting skills, particularly in the area of discipline. "The Discipline Package" offers a succinct plan for parents to follow involving three steps. Each step is described, along with options for responding…