Describes a parent education program for parents of young children with behavioral difficulties. Objectives were to teach parents (1) the STAR (stop, think and ask, and respond) parenting technique; (2) strategies for dealing with behavior problems; and (3) the process of setting reasonable expectations. Parents rated the program highly. (GLR)

Emphasis on technological precision and methodological sophistication in the field of applied behavior analysis has brought about a deemphasis of theoretical and philosophical concerns. For theoretical development of the field to move ahead, applied behavior analysts must develop the principles needed to describe ways of predicting and controlling…

There should not be an intentional reduction of the technological focus in applied behavior analysis research to expand the theoretical focus. The manner in which applied behavior analysis has beneficially affected the field of developmental disabilities services demonstrates how technologically related research plays a necessary role. (JDD)

This literature review on antecedents, behaviors, and consequences in the noncompliant behavior of people with mental retardation found that noncompliance is more likely when instructions are vague or task demands are too difficult and that noncompliance responds well to programs utilizing combinations of social and tangible rewards. (Author/JDD)

This study examined relations between prescribed psychoactive treatments and rated behavioral difficulties of 87 adults with moderate mental retardation. Results indicated higher drug utilization in larger congregate settings compared to group care settings, despite behavior problems and cognitive level being matched across settings. (Author/JDD)

This study, involving 23 preschool-aged children in a day care center, found that the mean numbers of reported interpersonal conflicts decreased when a 30-minute play period was divided into 2 15-minute play periods, compared to conflict frequency during 30 minutes of a 60-minute play period. (Author/JDD)

Empirical research pertaining to sexual behavior in sexually abused children, including record reviews, parent ratings, psychological assessment, self-report, and behavioral observation, is reviewed and discussed. Sexual behavior is reported significantly more often in sexually abused children than nonabused children. However, the consistency of…

Parents and children completed measures that assessed children's behavior problems and depression. Children had experienced abuse, witnessed spouse abuse, experienced and witnessed abuse, or experienced no domestic violence. Reports of effects of domestic violence on children varied, depending on the type of violence and the person reporting it.…

Outlines nonintrusive and intrusive strategies for effective classroom management of inappropriate behavior. Describes discipline as a system made up of preventative and intervention strategies designed to manage rather than control student behavior. Discusses planned ignoring, praise, conferences, progress reports, and time out, among other…

Compared psychological, familial, and demographic data for 42 suicidal, 16 suicide ideation, and 42 control pediatric patients. Chaotic families, behavior problems, depression, constriction, and lack of insight differentiated suicide attempters from controls. Suicide ideation group was similar to both attempters and controls. Constriction was only…

Data concerning maladaptive behavior obtained on a sample of persons (n=8255) with mild to profound mental retardation and aged from birth to 98 years were factor analyzed resulting in identification of 2 principal factors for children, 3 for adolescents and young adults, and three and 4 for middle and older adults, with level of retardation also…

Assertive discipline can help teachers develop more consistent and effective communication strategies for influencing student behavior. Over a nine-week period, two teachers using assertive discipline reduced the off-task and disruptive behavior of a male kindergarten student by defining behavioral limits and providing positive and negative…

The paper reviews the literature on teachers' perceptions of sexual differences among learning-disabled students. It was concluded that perceived sex differences tend to compound the problems of learning-disabled students with boys rated substantially higher on conduct and behavior problems and girls as more withdrawn. (DB)

In response to the establishment of school-based teacher support teams to assist teachers serving students with learning and behavior problems in the general classroom, this article summarizes data from 5 studies of 96 teams concerning team goals, team impact on student performance and special education referral, reactions of classroom teachers,…

This study evaluated a method for assessing the behavioral function of severe self-injury in four adults with severe/profound mental retardation. Initial assessment included analyzing within-session trends and fluctuations in rates of self-injury by plotting the frequency within each minute of the session. (DB)