Two children with mental retardation were trained to emit different communication responses to request the reinforcer for destructive behavior and an alternative reinforcer. Differential reinforcement of communication reduced destructive behavior regardless of whether a functional reinforcer or an alternative reinforcer was available or whether…

A large-scale analysis was conducted of problem behavior by observing 20 individuals living in residential facilities. Data were converted into scatter plot formats. When the data were transformed into aggregate "control charts," 12 of 15 sets of data revealed 30-minute intervals during which problem behavior was more likely to occur.…

Discusses how teachers can be sensitive to the needs of adopted children with disabilities and avoid overreacting to learning and behavioral difficulties by understanding the family, helping children learn that families are formed in many ways, using positive adoption language, being creative with class assignments, and utilizing resources. (CR)

This guide to Tourette Syndrome addresses prevalence and etiology, associated behaviors (such as obsessive-compulsive disorder and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder), treatment approaches and medication, and classroom management techniques (such as handling tic release/stress and managing hyperactivity/controlling attentional impulses). (DB)

Offers strategies for teaching students in all grades self-regulation skills for the purposes of behavior change. Discusses the importance of facilitating generalization, components of self-regulation, steps of self-regulation, selecting a target behavior, graphing and record keeping, and benefits and potential of teaching self-regulation skills.…

A survey of 390 residential deaf, and hard-of-hearing students, ages 3 to 24 years, in the United Kingdom, found that children without additional disabilities did not show stereotyped behaviors, though about 35% of children with additional disabilities (especially vision, learning, and/or autism) did show such behaviors. (DB)

School officials have a moral and legal duty to preserve all students' safety and well-being while not trampling on the constitutional rights of students involved in disruptive behavior. Administrators must adopt defensible school policies, ensure parent understanding, observe due process, and exercise administrative authority in a reasonable…

A study investigated how 15 children (ages 6 to 10) who identified themselves as having attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) would differ from 74 adult-identified boys (ages 6 to 10). Although no significant differences were found in observed disruptive behavior, the child self-identified group endorsed significantly more internalizing…

Uses longitudinal data on sibling pairs from the National Longitudinal Study of Youth to investigate the influence of father presence on behavioral and cognitive outcomes for children. Results indicate that children who live in one-parent families exhibit more behavioral problems and have lower mathematics and reading ability than children in…

Comparison of behavior problems reported by mothers and teachers of 44 children (ages 6 to 15) with Down syndrome and 44 controls without mental retardation indicated that the Down syndrome children had more behavior problems, in particular attention deficit, noncompliance, thought disorder, and social withdrawal. Life events were associated with…

Studied social interaction among a sample of children at risk for the development of later and more severe behavioral-control difficulties. Observed 121 children in pairs. Found that children in the high-risk group displayed significantly and consistently more aggressive behavior than did the children in the low-risk group. (JS)

Discusses a school-based prevention program initiated to reduce alcohol, tobacco, and other drug (ATOD) use among adolescents. Investigates changes in reported ATOD use from 1987 to 1991. Significant decreases were found for use of most drugs with the exception of alcohol. Involvement in problem behaviors was the most salient risk factor whereas…

Examined whether children's cognitive biases moderated impact of stressful divorce-related events on adjustment in 9- to 12-year olds. Found that endorsing negative cognitive errors for hypothetical divorce events moderated relations between stressful divorce events and self- and maternal-reports of internalizing and externalizing symptoms for…

Module provides information to enable individuals to facilitate one- to two-hour training sessions appropriate for teachers, other professionals, and parents. It contains information relevant to advocating for children and youth who exhibit challenging behaviors. The module: (1) defines advocacy; (2) examines why advocacy is important; (3)…

Examines the assumption that a high level of autonomy within a context of attachment provides the best constellation for psychosocial adjustments with adolescents (N=400). Results show that attitudinal, emotional, and functional autonomy were connected with attachment to father, mother, and peers to predict indices of psychosocial adjustment:…