Three functional assessment methods were compared with four adults with severe/profound mental retardation and stereotypic behavior patterns. The results of the antecedents, behavior, and consequences observation and the Motivation Assessment Scale indicated a sensory function of the stereotypic behavior for all subjects, whereas functional…

Discusses a two-hour interactive session with teacher leaders from the Colorado Partnership Mathematics Project during a retreat addressing the culture of mathematics instruction. Responds to the following questions: (1) What is culture? (2) What helps cultures change? and (3) What can educators do? Shares resources that support proposed…

Investigated social validity of behavior change produced by self-monitoring and contingent reinforcement upon on-task behavior and academic productivity of six learning-disabled elementary school students using single-case, multiple-treatment design. On-task behavior and academic productivity improved under both interventions, with improvements…

Children and their parents and teachers completed a questionnaire that addressed their reactions to the children's participation in a sociometric study and children's behavior changes after participation in the study. Most subjects enjoyed participating and showed no noticeable behavior changes after participating. (BC)

Evaluated educational program for juveniles found guilty of driving under the influence (DUI). Of 600 juveniles convicted of DUI, 100 participated in program. Participants demonstrated increased knowledge, stronger attitudes against DUI, and less risky alcohol- and automobile-related behaviors following intervention. Class participants had…

This article presents findings from a report on educational services for students with emotional and behavioral disturbances. It describes problematic findings related to curriculum, behavior management, and mental health services and considers alternatives to prevailing current practices. (Author/DB)

This article presents a definition of traumatic brain injury (TBI); describes problem behavioral characteristics of students post-TBI and some possible solutions; examines academic, social, emotional, and cognitive factors; and outlines interventions to assist teachers in working constructively with TBI students. (JDD)

Staff members (n=152) assigned to 76 clients with moderate to severe mental retardation in Norway received training in behaviorally oriented treatment and assessment. Results did not support the hypothesis that training in treatment and assessment would produce greater improvement in client behavior than would training in treatment alone.…

Systematic training of a paraprofessional in effective instructional procedures with a student with severe mental retardation and aberrant behaviors resulted in improved skills and fewer negative statements by the paraprofessional and decreased aberrant behaviors and increased compliance by the student. Follow-up at 55 weeks indicated maintenance…

The opioid antagonist naltrexone was administered to eight adults with severe or profound mental retardation and self-injurious behaviors. During naltrexone administration, there were fewer days with frequent head-banging and self-biting. Experimental subjects were also found to sleep significantly less than controls both before and during…

Social learning and social cognitive theories are applied to the group treatment of adolescent sexual offenders in the Juvenile Sexual Behavior Program of Barnert Hospital Mental Health Clinic (New Jersey). The program provides the necessary environment for learning and reinforcement of social prohibitions and control of behavior; cognitive aids;…

Use of Assertive Discipline procedures (emphasizing consistent application of praise and reward) were applied with two five-year olds with developmental delays and behavior problems over a one-year period. The procedures were effective in both segregated and regular classroom settings. Differential effects across types of disruptive behavior were…

Analysis of videotapes of training procedures with 12 developmentally disabled adults in a horticultural day work program found an overall staff emphasis on selectively attending to workers' successful behavior with evidence of both efficiency and effectiveness of this approach. (Author/DB)

A management program was implemented to increase the training activities and decrease nonwork behavior of eight direct-care staff in a facility for individuals with mental retardation. Improvements were maintained during a 43-week period, staff acceptability measures were positive, and beneficial changes occurred in clients. (JDD)

Three first grade students who exhibited difficulty completing independent work improved their math performance when given recording devices to self-record performance data, with two of the children showing more reactivity when using the more obtrusive device. Three of four second grade students increased math performance during periods when peer…