The feasibility of using computer simulation to teach behavior management skills to special and regular education teachers in training was evaluated using microcomputer-simulated spelling lessons involving four pupils programmed to make off-task comments. After training, education students' management of off task behavior approximated that of…

Investigated how information about effectiveness of three classroom interventions influences teachers' acceptability ratings. Teachers (N=216) read descriptions of either mild or severe behavior problems and rated effectiveness of either token economy, response cost, or time-out intervention. Effectiveness information accompanying each…

Investigated fifth graders', teachers', and school psychologists' assessment of acceptability of three types of group contingencies (dependent, independent, and interdependent) that entail a consequence of positive reinforcement for appropriate behavior. Fifth graders rated all three types of group contingencies mildly acceptable. Teachers and…

Conducted a psychologically-oriented intervention program in addition to a conventional curriculum for adolescents (N=9) with behavior problems. Adolescents completing the program manifested less disruptive classroom behavior, increased their classroom participation, and displayed a more positive attitude toward school following participation.…

Examined the influence of parent-adolescent intimacy on adolescent functioning. Found no significant differences between males and females on the measures of self-esteem, problem behavior or intimacy; however, mothers shared greater degrees of intimacy than did fathers for both male and female adolescents. Father intimacy was a greater predictor…

Provides support for the relationship between academic performance and delinquency. Reviews experimental research describing the learning-disabled male adolescent as a likely candidate for delinquent involvement, discussing learning disabilities, age, gender, and socioeconomic status, and their relationship to delinquency. Suggests implications…

Three severely disabled high school students were taught to independently initiate a conversation and participate in turntaking for 10 minutes in a variety of school/community settings with at least four nondisabled peers as partners. The students' high rates of inappropriate social interaction behaviors decreased as conversational skills were…

A descriptive study compared family management practices of parents of antisocial and nonantisocial fourth grade boys (N=80), including discipline, monitoring, positive reinforcement, involvement, and problem solving. On average, antisocial subjects were exposed to far more negative and less competent family management practices than were subjects…

Reports two transdisciplinary interventions conducted by an Itinerant school nurse. The case studies presented involve a Prader-Willi syndrome student enrolled in a class for the trainable mentally handicapped and a student enrolled in a regular fourth grade classroom but considered at risk for placement in a behavior disorders setting. (JHZ)

Three cases of school-aged children experiencing problems in peer relations, disturbing habits, school refusal, and inappropriate classroom behaviors are presented. Interventions in each of the cases involved both standard school-based strategies and family interventions. Results suggest the potential usefulness of strategic family interventions.…

This article explores the premise that family systems factors influence the likelihood of referral follow-up and success. Family systems theories describing how families support child behavior problems and how family hierarchies influence the decision to follow through on referrals are discussed. (Author/LMO)

Fifteen rural elementary school teachers in classrooms with high proportions of limited-English-speaking students completed self-reporting instruments and their supervisors evaluated their effectiveness. Those teachers with the most effective strategies for low-achieving students reported lower toleration of maladaptive behavior and some active…

Examined the influence of problem severity, type of intervention, and student ethnicity on evaluations of classroom interventions by white and Mexican-American elementary school teachers (N=80). Data analysis revealed nonsignificant main effects, while teacher ethnicity x student ethnicity and student ethnicity x problem severity factors…

Compared Thailand to United States in regard to children's psychological problems and corresponding clinic referral patterns. Overcontrolled problems (somaticizing, fearfulness, nervous movements, worrying) were reported more often for Thai than for American youth. Undercontrolled problems (disobedience, fighting, lying, arguing) were reported…

Results of a behavioral contracting intervention with a fourth grader increased the child's school attendance from 48 percent during baseline to 87 percent during intervention. Stressed is the importance of collaborative consultation and use of validated interventions by school mental health professionals. (Author/DB)