Psychologists in a large institution for mentally retarded persons present their observations from a week of serving as direct care staff. They report on the effectiveness of such procedures as reducing the noise level, alleviating crowding, structuring activities, and persisting in correcting resident behavior. (CL)

Shaping behavior by reinforcing a series of successive approximations is discussed, and procedures for promoting internal shaping in children are described. Instructions are given for the "shaping game," by which parents and children can learn the techniques. (CL)

Group counseling sessions with 10 learning disabled students (9-10 years old) have focused on exploring and modifying students' self-defeating behaviors. Contents of seven sessions are briefly summarized. (CL)

A simple and effective program for the reduction or elimination of ruminative behavior in four school-aged students with multiple handicaps used a combination of peanut butter, reduced fluid consumption at meals, and fading. In each of the cases, the ruminative behavior was significantly reduced or eliminated. (Author/CL)

The paper presents the case of a sixth-grade boy, labeled dyslexic, who responded positively to a biochemical approach. Remedy of iron, zinc, and Vitamin B-6 deficiencies as well as an imbalance of fatty acids resulted in improvements in hair and skin and also in reading. A biochemical approach to behavior problems is proposed. (Author/CL)

Participants in a cognitive-behavioral treatment program for obesity were asked 6 to 10 years after treatment to describe their current use of cognitive and behavioral activities during periods of weight maintenance, loss, and gain. Respondents' cognitive and behavioral efforts increased during weight loss; decreased during times of maintenance…

After a discussion of basic concepts in behavior analysis, a general model of behavior change is presented which is applicable to a broad range of educational settings. Rigorous clinical training in the use of this model as part of teacher education is recommended. (MT)

If a quick-tempered student is helped to deal with anger, she or he has learned an important lesson. Sixteen strategies to teach self-control are presented and discussed. (MT)

A center for retarded students provided students contacts with animals on a regular basis to help students overcome their fear, increase self-confidence and self-esteem, develop nurturing skills, and learn cooperation. Case studies of six children who showed special benefits from the program are included. (CL)

Lithium carbonate is effective in treating some children with polar (mood) disorders, many of whom, the author suggests may be misdiagnosed as hyperactive, schizophrenic, or behavior disorderd. (CL)

This study was conducted to identify the continuing education (CE) elements nurses believed were most likely to influence their nursing practice and to examine R. Cervero's (1982) comprehensive model of continuing professional education. A total of 344 registered nurses returned questionnaires about CE. Using a researcher-developed 37-item…

This course comes from the Rocky Mountain Special Education Instructional Materials Center. (CL)

Reinforcement hierarchy implies movement along a continuum from top to bottom, from primitive levels of reinforcement to more sophisticated levels. Unless it is immediately obvious that a child cannot function without the use of lower-order reinforcers, we should approach him as though he responds to topmost reinforcers until he demonstrates…