Reviews research on the Transcendental Meditation (TM) program relevant to the treatment and prevention of criminal behavior and substance abuse. Incarcerated offenders show rapid positive changes in risk factors associated with criminal behavior, including anxiety, aggression, hostility, moral judgment, in-prison rule infractions, and substance…

Presents the thesis that Consciousness-Based education, including the practice of the Transcendental Meditation (TM) technique, can be a highly effective tool for reducing or eliminating violent behavior in schools. Reviews research demonstrating that practice of the technique reduces 23 identified risk factors for crime in four broad…

Time-out is an effective child deceleration technique. The Time-Out Grid is a simple heuristic tool illustrating the fundamental feature of an effective time-out intervention and subsequently guides those involved in the problem analysis and program evaluation phases of consultation. Provides specific procedural recommendations for classroom…

A study of three children (ages 3-9) with severe problem behavior investigated alternatives to the typical application of noncontingent reinforcement (NCR) for problem behavior. Instead of using continuous access to reinforcers and extinction, the study found that an NCR schedule based on latency and NCR without extinction were more effective for…

A study examined the effects of a behavioral intervention and methylphenidate on inappropriate behavior and sleep disturbance displayed by a 6-year-old boy who had been diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Results showed the behavior intervention was effective in reducing inappropriate behaviors regardless of the presence or…

Presents a consultative model designed for providing behavioral supports to children with challenging behaviors. A rationale for the formation of behavioral support teams within school settings and strategies for promoting the on-going use of such a model are provided. The training of team members is also addressed. (Author/CR)

Describes how adolescents are affected by depression and alcohol dependence and offers a treatment plan for a dual diagnosis. The plan consists of an adolescent group and family program to facilitate and maintain behavioral changes in treatment. The benefits of this treatment and rationale for its application are discussed. (LSR)

A functional assessment interview was conducted with care providers of 100 children (ages 2-5) with autism regarding reinforcement contingencies contributing to maintenance of disruptive behavior. Gaining access to perseverative activities and escaping demands while engaged in these activities frequently contributed to disruptive behavior in the…

A study examined the effectiveness of the Power Card Strategy in teaching sportsmanship skills to a 10-year-old girl with autism. The strategy incorporates special interests to teach and reinforce academic, behavior, and social skills. The strategy was effective in teaching sportsmanship skills and the behavioral generalized across multiple…

In this exploratory study, the communicative process in conjoint behavioral consultation was investigated with a coding system designed to measure two dimensions of communication (i.e., influence and involvement). Results indicated that CBC meetings were characterized by a high degree of affiliation among participants; however, few significant…

Reviews four areas from the prevention science field, including: promoting healthy behavior; preventing substance abuse; preventing high-risk sexual behaviors; and preventing child abuse and sexual abuse. Recommendations are made regarding strategies for implementing empirically validated programs, supplementing school programs with ecological…

Public schools that use punitive approaches toward student discipline can unwittingly promote violence and other antisocial behavior. This article reviews constructive and preventive methods to reduce school violence and vandalism. Various strategies are presented and discussed. (Contains 62 references.) (Author)

School psychologists and other prereferral intervention team members have expressed a need to develop skills in two key areas: selecting interventions that are conceptually relevant, and providing teachers with the resources and support needed to ensure successful plan implementation. This paper describes various strategies that have been shown to…

Evaluates effectiveness of "Say It Straight" communication training with 36 mothers in residential chemical dependency treatment. Self-reported, disempowering behaviors showed highly significant decreases after SIS training, and empowering behaviors showed significant increases. Results indicate this training is an important addition to…

Examines the effects of a two-component treatment package composed of habit reversal and self-modeling to reduce the frequency of tics in 4 school-age students diagnosed with Tourette's Syndrome. Results reveal that 3 of the 4 students showed substantial decreases in their tics, which were maintained during a 5- to 10-week follow up. The fourth…