This article reviews research describing assessment-based antecedent interventions implemented in natural settings. Descriptive information is provided along a number of dimensions pertaining to participant characteristics (n=42), assessment utilized, and intervention attributes. Results indicate the most common interventions targeted aggression,…

This article describes the development of the Preschool Taxonomy of Problem Situations (PTOPS). An examination of the PTOPS using a clinical sample of 42 maltreated children (ages 2-5) indicated the PTOPS subscales were high in internal reliability and were highly convergent with subscales of the Preschool Behavior Questionnaire. (Contains…

This article discusses resiliency behaviors and characteristics that can be nurtured within a family, school, or agency. These include practicing unconditional positive acceptance; establishing close, supportive relationships; communicating realistic standards; establishing clear boundaries; using a low-criticism style of interaction; focusing on…

A study examined the effectiveness of teaching five adolescents with mental retardation and behavior disorders to lead their own Individualized Education Program (IEP) meetings. Students learned to introduce others at their IEP meetings, review their past IEP goals, discuss their future IEP goals, and close their meetings. (Contains references.)…

A study examined different types of and amount of vocational programming received by 398 secondary students with emotional or behavioral disorders and post-school outcomes. Generic vocational education and on-the-job- training had significant positive relationships with total earnings. All types of vocational education had inverse significant…

In response to a paper on effects of risperidone on behavior in people with developmental disabilities, this paper raises the issue of how clinicians determine whether treatment should target the psychiatric disorder underlying the aberrant behavior (diagnosis-based treatment) or should target the aberrant behavior directly (behavior-based…

A study examined the effectiveness of a supplemental early literacy program for 7 first-graders at-risk for antisocial behavior who were unresponsive to a school-wide intervention. Despite initial variability in decoding skills and problem behaviors, all students made growth in word attack skills and demonstrated lower levels of disruptive…

Compared Standard Age Scores on Stanford-Binet Intelligence Scale: Fourth Edition (SBIV) and Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Revised intelligence quotient scores of 51 urban Black males receiving special education services. Data suggest that SBIV possesses utility for assessing intelligence of Black students classified as behavior…

This study examined classroom life of children with behavioral/emotional disorders in self-contained classrooms. Site visits were made to 26 programs, and 200 parents responded to questionnaires. Despite visible mainstreaming efforts, results indicated gaps in quality of classroom life, amount of attention on students' mental health needs, and…

Compared the levels of perceived stress on several dimensions of parenting in mothers and fathers of 159 children divided into 4 groups: conduct disorders, autistic, Down syndrome, and developmentally normal. Results showed that mothers and fathers reported similar levels of stress when parenting exceptional children, although their patterns of…

Surveys current research on causes and treatment of autism. Identifies features of autism and outlines causal theories and related treatments. Analyzes problems with the different approaches to causes of autism. Suggests the multiplicity of approaches implies lack of success in any one area. Contends behavior modification provides best results and…

The paper defines the population of primary school age language/learning-disabled children with communication disorders and emotional/behavioral disorders. It then discusses the language demands of traditional treatment methods, assessment and diagnostic procedures, approaches to communication intervention, and treatment modalities; and offers a…

Evaluation of treatment acceptability was conducted with 78 staff members at a community-based residential facility for youth with severe behavior disorders and mental retardation, where the institutional treatment philosophy was explicitly behavioral. Unlike a previous study, in this setting acceptability ratings were not influenced by severity…

The relationship between state definitions of behavior disorders and the number of children being served was examined for one year prior to implementation of Public Law 94-142 and a year following full implementation. Definitional components accounted for less than a third of the variance in prevalence rates. Influences contributing to the…

This article outlines considerations in planning inpatient groups for psychiatric patients and presents a model for group psychotherapy with a heterogeneous admission ward population. The model includes session plans based on objectives graded according to patients' levels of functioning. Also discussed are group rules and the therapist's role.…