This article argues that challenges in motivating gifted underachievers should be addressed from an integrated systems approach. The design and implementation of specific interventions for these students are described, with a special focus on reward menus and behavior contracts. Suggested target behaviors and individual and class rewards are…

This study of the outcomes of treatment of three children with autism, to reduce fear of dental examinations, found that the children could be trained through a combined desensitization, symbolic modeling, and reinforcement treatment package to undergo a dental exam in an analog setting, and the training could generalize somewhat to a clinical…

Examined the types of play mothers introduce in direct response to their toddlers' play and the actual maternal play behaviors. Findings suggested that mothers tend to play with their toddlers in ways that might promote their children's development and that mothers with more knowledge about play development provide their children with…

A case study is presented of a boy (age 5) with mild mental retardation who frequently displayed disruptive behavior at school. Assessment and intervention involved a brief functional analysis, a curriculum-based assessment, and an intervention involving curriculum modification and functional communication training to request a break or…

A study examined developmental changes in symptoms retrospectively in 28 verbal children (ages 7-20) with autism. Findings indicate a significant improvement in three main domains. Improvement occurred in more symptoms in the social rather than the communication domain, and for more communication symptoms than the restricted interest and…

Two elementary schools were studied over two years of a schoolwide program to improve service delivery to students with behavior problems. Program components included an advisory committee, schoolwide organizational practices, schoolwide classroom management intervention, and individual behavioral interventions. Target students displayed improved…

Evaluation of a proactive behavioral approach to teaching prosocial behavior was evaluated in six urban elementary physical education classes. Results demonstrated positive across-grade trends in student leadership and teacher-independent conflict resolution behaviors, marked decreases in student off-task behavior, less teacher-directed and more…

A study of a junior high school inclusion program that provided four students with disabilities with nondisabled student aids found the students with disabilities experienced growth in levels of independence, social networks, academic skills, and in behavior. Describes beneficial outcomes for the student aids and contributing successful program…

Consumer satisfaction and social validity were measured during a double-blind, placebo-controlled evaluation of risperidone in treating aberrant behaviors of persons with developmental disabilities. A survey showed all 17 caregivers felt participation was positive. Community members (n=52) also indicated that when on medication, the 5 participants…

This article presents criteria researchers should consider when seeking to establish a socially valid understanding of problem behavior. Criteria include determining if behavior change is demonstrated in typical settings and whether the intervention promotes movement in the least restrictive environment, is conducted by families and/or school and…

Explored application of mediation approach to resolution of intrafamily disputes between parents and adolescents as a means of preventing child maltreatment. About 90 percent of 50 participating families were able to reach a mediation agreement, and 80 percent of these agreements were adhered to after 2 months. Results indicated considerable…

This study of 8 language-disordered children, ages 5-8, found that subjects increased their nonverbal behavior as message conditions changed from unambiguous to ambiguous. Nonverbal indication was generally the only signal of ambiguity detection exhibited by subjects and language-matched peers, whereas age-matched peers consistently indicated…

Examined effect of social support on parent-child interaction in 19 adolescent mothers who worked in preschool classroom with skilled caregivers modeling facilitative styles of interacting with young children. Results showed that girls aged 16 and older significantly increased frequency of using responsive, engaging, and elaborative styles of…

Discusses problem of how to address relationship between alcohol abuse and criminal offending. Suggests that Alcohol Education Courses (AECs) offer workable alternative to custodial sentencing. AECs offer various techniques that target abusive alcohol consumption level of the population, the problem of offending, or both. Asserts that evaluation…

The process and impact of a self-responsibility model for delinquency-prone youth, 10 fourth-grade boys, was investigated using a variation of the case study method. Students participated in a 6-week special physical education program. Results suggest the model caused some affective, behavioral and knowledge changes in the boys. (IAH)