This study involving five individuals (ages 5 to 21) with mental retardation and behavior problems, found that momentary changes in establishing operations can influence responding during the course of a functional analysis, and that comparisons of response levels associated with the presence or absence of putative reinforces can provide…

Discusses strategies for preventing and responding to aggression among students with Asperger's syndrome, including structuring the environment for social success, cognitive behavior-modification, behavioral contracts, social stories, scripts and autopsies, and traditional behavioral consequences. Examples of a social story, social script, and…

A study investigated the effectiveness of a school-based prevention program consisting of social skills activities, peer tutoring, and individual and class-wide behavioral management components for improving the behaviors of 38 students (ages 5-11) with emotional disturbances. Results indicated that inappropriate behaviors decreased and positive…

Survey examines gender differences in sexual practices and beliefs about condom use among rural injecting drug users admitted to treatment programs. Results indicate that Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome knowledge was extremely limited for both males and females in this sample, suggesting that basic HIV/AIDS…

A study evaluated the effectiveness of functional communication training (FCT) in reducing problem behavior of 5 individuals with severe mental retardation and in strengthening alternative behavior. Four participants shifted response allocation from problem to alternative behavior as the schedule of reinforcement of problem behavior became more…

A study examined idiosyncratic environment-behavior relations associated with increased levels of problem behavior of a child with mental retardation and a typical child. Results indicated that idiosyncratic antecedent stimuli set the occasion for occurrences of problem behavior and that the behavior persisted in the absence of social…

Describes a behavior analytic program for preschool children with autism, the University of California, Los Angeles, Young Autism Project. It reviews outcome data, replication and dissemination efforts, frequently voiced concerns, and future directions. It concludes that, based on existing scientific evidence, increasing the availability of…

Reviews research on attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and examines the role of neurochemical stimulation and signs of neurological deficits. Describes the chemical action of drugs used to treat ADHD, along with cognitive, affective, and behavioral effects, and side effects. Elaborates on drug treatment and basic behavior modification…

Presents an intervention designed to overcome some of the difficulties rural parents encounter in accessing services for young children with behavior problems. Results, based on 24 parents, indicate that children in a treatment group had lower levels of behavior problems and that parents reported increased levels of parenting competence. (RJM)

Examines whether cognitive restructuring (CR) contributes to treatment efficacy and investigates its mode of action for therapeutic effects. Results, based on 60 persons with generalized social phobia, indicate that CR reduced social phobia and negative social cognitions and increased positive cognitions. CR did not enhance the effects of…

A study used direct and indirect methods to assess and treat several topographies of the aggression of a 7-year-old boy with severe mental retardation and pervasive personality disorder. Functional communication training with extinction reduced all forms of aggression except chin grinding, which was reduced by an alternative treatment. (Author/CR)

This response to an article by Reiss and Havercamp (1997) that suggested that sensitivity theory offers a basis from which to assess and treat challenging behavior by people with development disabilities, critiques sensitivity theory, outlines the tenets of behavior analysis, and describes development and use of functional assessment. (Author/CR)

Examines the effects of a school-wide intervention plan on the social behavior of students in major transition settings. Results show that the plan resulted in increased active supervision and precorrection by staff and concomitant reductions in student problem behavior in transition spaces (entering school, cafeteria, exiting school). (EMK)

Pretreatment assessment data were used to enhance an existing treatment package to reduce aggression and to increase the positive social interactions of a 9-year-old boy with moderate mental retardation and Hunter's syndrome. Additional reinforcements and punishment components were added and resulted in positive social interactions and suppressed…

Describes a treatment package for children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. The components of the Kit, which uses whole-classroom reinforcement, are categorized into three areas and the empirical rationale for each component is discussed. Presents a case study of a six-year-old girl with reported disruptive behavior problems. (RJM)