This paper discusses the practice of social validity assessment in applied behavior analysis, proposes elements that should be included in state-of-the art assessment procedures, offers a taxonomy of consumers to guide the construction and circulation of assessments, and suggests strategies to improve social validity assessment. (JDD)

Assessed teachers' (n=89) acceptance of Good Behavior Game (GBG), interdependent group contingency. Found GBG as acceptable as positive reinforcement and response cost. Neither target children's ages, behavior problem severity, nor stated procedure rationale affected ratings. Found positive relationship between acceptability and use of positive…

Provides rationale for and description of school-based anger coping program for aggressive children. Discusses need for school-based, preventive interventions with this population. Outlines conceptual model for this intervention and reviews relevant findings on social cognitive processes. Describes cognitive-behavioral intervention framework and…

Describes assessment and successful treatment of a preadolescent with erratic toileting behavior and related social skills difficulties. Treatment included monitoring of bowel movements, using a star chart, and applying rewards as positive reinforcement of acceptable behavior. (HTH)

Twenty children in grades 4-7, half with learning disabilities (LD), received cognitive behavior modification training to reduce math anxiety. From pretest to posttest, children with LD produced increased amounts of positive self-talk. There was a moderate, positive correlation between increased positive self-talk and math performance. (Author/JDD)

This article examines and evaluates the various ways school personnel can assist and work effectively with children with attention deficit disorders. Classroom management procedures and behavioral interventions are outlined, such as setting clear rules, using a token economy, contingency contracting, applying consequences, teaching self-management…

Considers the implications of Section 550A of the 1996 Education Act in the United Kingdom concerning the use of physical restraint and reasonable force in schools. Addresses confusion over permissible forms of control and the need for staff training for effective implementation. (DB)

A case study assessed the efficacy of extinction of parental attention on nighttime crying of a 2-year-old Dutch child with a physical disability. Parents of the child were instructed to ignore nighttime crying. Extinction of parental attention was effective in the elimination and long-term maintenance of nighttime crying. (Author/CR)

This case study reports use of ignoring, positive reinforcement, passive restraint, and time-out in treatment of a 10-year-old girl with profound retardation and disruptive behaviors in home and classroom. Time-out was the most effective intervention with all three target behaviors, with improved behaviors maintained for at least six months.…

A multicomponent-treatment approach consisting of relaxation training, systematic desensitization, and cognitive-behavioral interventions was used to treat test anxiety in a female college student. Data collected throughout treatment were self-reported feelings of relaxation and anxiety during the intervention. Trait anxiety decreased…

Discusses factors associated with violent behavior in young children and strategies for addressing those factors, including using the "Turtle Technique" for practicing withdrawal and problem-solving, using social-learning curricula, using success-oriented instructional strategies for teaching academics, listing and practicing alternative…

This article describes how a self-management strategy, self-recording with points, teacher praise, and encouragement, was used to increase the on-task and nondisruptive behaviors of a 6-year old African American boy with hyperactivity. The use of drug therapy to control hyperactivity is discussed and a self-recording form is provided. (Contains…

Functional assessments were conducted for two Irish individuals with severe disabilities and aberrant behavior. A modified attention condition was introduced, which involved both parents interacting with a third person. Aberrant behavior occurred only in the modified attention condition. Successful treatment consisted of delivery of attention on a…

This article reviews the functional assessment paradigm in relation to students with serious emotional and behavioral disorders who have well developed cognitive abilities and linguistic skills. Based on the needs of these students, the Assessment Intervention Process, a system for facilitating the development of effective positive behavior plans…

Evaluates three training techniques for enhancing independent living skills and examines differential treatment efficacy. Results, based on 30 severely or profoundly mentally retarded adults, indicate that the control group failed to achieve the results of the two treatment groups. Findings support the necessity of implementing updated treatment…