The study of use of the drug fenfluramine with four autistic children (7-20 years old) indicated no significant side effects, a reduction in some deviant behaviors, and an improvement in activity level/attention span. (Author/DB)

Application of the ecological model to children with behavioral problems focuses on the degree to which behavior matches the demands, expectations, or levels of tolerance of individuals in the environment. Such individuals as well as the child may need to change their behaviors. (DB)

Results of evaluating effects of fenfluramine on 21 maladaptive behaviors in 20 autistic individuals (from 9 to 30 years old) over a 9-month period using a double-blind, cross-over, placebo-controlled design indicated no significant reductions in maladaptive behaviors and the presence of negative side effects. (Author/DB)

Behavioral effects of intra-institutional relocation of mentally retarded adults were evaluated over a 12-month period. Clients grouped together on the basis of relatively high levels of aggressive or destructive behavior exhibited an increase in social isolation following relocation. Overall, relocation effects were subtle and individualized in…

Exposed subjects (N=96) to environments pretested to elicit feelings of pleasure or displeasure while hearing or reading a message. Results showed attitude change was significantly higher in pleasant environments than in unpleasant environments. The environmental effect was only found when subjects were allowed time to soak in the environment. (BH)

Results of a study by the American College of Cardiology revealed that continuing medical education (CME) courses contain relatively little information that is new to the audience, that other influences on practice interact with CME content, and that change attributable to CME is subtle and often delayed. (JOW)

The article examines the role of drug treatment stressing the need to treat disorders of brain function rather than direct behavior control. Treatment principles concern classification, dosage, monitoring effects, timing of therapy, the distinction between passive and active disorders as well as syndromal, manipulative, ritualistic, cyclothymic,…

Positive Peer Culture is a treatment intervention for troubled youth. The author examines the face validity of this model and reviews research concerned with the effectiveness of cooperative learning structures. Uses of the model and some directions for future evaluations of peer programs are discussed. (Author/CH)

Reviews literature on creative drama for older adults which revealed reported increases in certain behaviors and attitudes of participants, including self-confidence, cooperation, communication skills, self-expression, relaxation, and sense of accomplishment. Recommends additional research comparing creative drama to other activities for older…

Article critically reviews the research literature on peer modeling among children as a function of model attributes. Conditions under which perceived similarity causes behavioral change are discussed. (RB)

Changes in children's categorization behavior between 15 and 21 months of age and the relation of these changes to developments in language, object permanence, and means-end understanding are reported. (PCB)

Provides an overview of the theoretical and technical components of covert positive reinforcement and reviews the experimental literature to ascertain the efficacy of CPR and to evaluate the operant basis for the technique. The empirical evidence confirmed the effectiveness of CPR in modifying analogue and clinical target behaviors, but challenged…

Addresses the process of socialization that takes place in the parent, with the child and adolescent as the socialization agent. Results show adolescents to be effective agents of socialization to their parents in both attitude and behavior in such areas as sports, leisure, minority groups, youth, drug use, and sexuality. (Author/BL)

The study found no relationship between improved social behavior in a group of juveniles residing at a county shelter care facility and decreased frequency and duration of disruptions above 85 decibels. Subjects did reduce noise levels when stereo listening was made contingent on reduced noise. (Author/DB)

Ten rural elementary schoolteachers participated in two weekends of intensive seminars focused on effective instruction research findings. All teachers were observed three times, both before and after the seminars, and half were given feedback. Results on teacher implementation of teaching behaviors from the seminar are presented. (MT)