Two studies compared the influence of task variation or task constancy on the aberrant responding of three severely handicapped students (ages 5, 12, and 20 and diagnosed autistic and/or mentally retarded). Both studies showed that the varied task sequence resulted in much lower levels of disruptive and self-stimulatory behaviors. (Author/DB)

Compared effects of different visiting programs (people, people and pets, pets, no visit) on behaviors of nursing home residents. Found all three visiting programs increased behaviors of smiling and alertness in comparison to control conditions. Close proximity to person-alone visitor was associated with greatest number of positive resident…

The purpose of this study was to assess the effectiveness of training in changing two complex teaching skills under controlled training conditions. Participants were 20 experienced teachers. The skills involved questioning strategy and clarity of explanations. The significance of the findings for teacher effectiveness and teacher education is…

This study examined the generalizability of the Stallings Effective Use of Time Program (EUTP). Four series of the EUTP were analyzed for levels of teachers' classroom behavioral change. Observational data gathered before and after the four workshop series provided significant support for the generalizability of change from such programs. (JD)

The scope of psychoactive drug use within a statewide (Texas) institutional service delivery network was examined, with a focus on its role in the treatment of self-injurious behavior and other aberrant behaviors in the retarded. Insufficient use of behavioral technology and overuse of physical and chemical restraints were indicated. (Author/DB)

Two studies investigated clients' reactions to evaluations of, expectations for, or willingness to seek counseling as a function of fee conditions and problems. Results indicated fee conditions did not affect willingness to seek help or expectations. Although there were some sex differences on expectancies, there was no interaction effect for sex…

For health instruction to be of benefit, personal practices must enhance health behavior. Self-management skills, stimilus control procedures, and reinforcement control procedures to make behavioral changes consistent with health-related decisions are described. (MT)

Q-sorts by experts were used to compare four structural/strategic/systemic therapy models. Results suggest that the models share a practical, strategic orientation to change, emphasizing reframing, but attach different importance to history, inference, abstraction, and contextual breadth. (Author)

Terminally ill children need support from peers, teachers, and parents to cope with their disease. Suggestions for helping all parties deal with the problems that arise are discussed. (DF)

The significance of unlearning for six different learning situations is outlined, and positive, negative, and neutral strategies for overcoming resistance, based on force-field analysis, are given. (SK)

The article reports the methodology and results of a two-year program evaluation effort to determine effectiveness of an early intervention program for disabled infants and preschool children. Overall, the results indicated the intervention program had a positive impact on participating children and their parents. (Author/CL)

Results of two experiments on choosing replacement behaviors for behavior problems in developmentally disabled students were consistent with the hypothesis that some behavior problems may be viewed as nonverbal communication and that behavior problems and verbal communicative acts may be equivalent in function. Therefore, strengthening the latter…

Provides an overview on the subject of punishment and alternative procedures to decelerate a behavior. Describes differential reinforcement, extinction, satiation, corrective feedback, using peers as models and rearranging the environment as positive and nonaversive procedures for decreasing a behavior. (LLL)

Given the many goals of sex education programs, it seems unfair to judge them by the degree to which they meet them all. This paper discusses the effects that sex education programs have on students' knowlege, attitudes, and behavior. (MT)

Explores three dimensions of change in play therapy. Actual case material is used to examine the role of pivots as windows of change in the helping process. Argues that the pivoting function may serve as a universe for change which allows us to focus more intently on therapeutic events. (Author/ABB)