Longitudinal follow-ups of the cessation of long-term Naltrexone administration were conducted with a women with profound mental retardation who had previously displayed dramatic decreases in self-injurious behavior (SIB). After two and four years post-Naltrexone therapy, the subject exhibited near-zero rates of SIB despite changes in staff and in…

Tells the story of one student's experience in an adult literacy class to reflect on whether teaching practices can foster changes in adult literacy learners that are transformational. Finds mixed answers. (SR)

This article reviews eight experimental studies on the effectiveness of cooperative learning as an instructional model for students with emotional and behavioral disorders (E/BD). The studies' methodological strengths and weaknesses are noted. The paper concludes that the effectiveness of cooperative learning for improving the academic achievement…

This review considers the prevalence and nature of physically aggressive behaviors by people with mental retardation and describes possible causal factors. The present status of both behavioral and pharmacological interventions for aggression are assessed, and the importance of devising reactive management plans for aggressive behaviors is…

A study examined a summer science camp's impact on the attitudes of 46 children aged 9-12 toward the environment, and the extent of consequent behavior changes. All participants showed an increase in positive attitudes towards the environment. Almost one-fourth of the 128 intentions reported were acted upon during the following year. (Contains 30…

Reviewed 32 studies that evaluated the impact of community-based injury prevention efforts on childhood injuries, safety behaviors, and adoption of safety devices. Interventions targeted schools, municipalities, and cities. This approach effectively increased some safety practices (e.g, bicycle helmet and car seat use) but not others. Common…

Examines the health behaviors of educators before and after attending a six-session, eight-month inservice health-promotion course. Finds that using a combination of behavior-change strategies (including goal setting, contracting, and skill practice) can help people to develop basic, positive health behaviors. (SR)

There is a need for standardization in the behavioral outcome measures employed in HIV prevention research. This paper reviews the need for a minimum dataset and proposes a candidate dataset that would provide a link between reported sexual behavior and quantitative estimates of risk reduction, thereby facilitating cross-study comparison among…

In one Nevada county, classroom troublemakers are sent to alternative education programs where they learn to follow directions. The programs take chronically disruptive adolescents and offer them a full continuum of services and supports in the hopes of returning them to the regular classroom at a later date. Though not all students respond, some…

Nine components critical to school-based violence prevention include using comprehensive, multifaceted approaches; beginning in primary grades and reinforcing across grade levels; being developmentally appropriate; promoting personal and social competencies; using interactive techniques; being culturally sensitive; using staff development;…

Children attending schools that instill character develop a sense of mutual respect, caring, and responsibility and become true citizens. This article profiles 10 schools that best exemplify the Character Education Partnership's 11 principles. Although the principals and teachers of all 10 schools note improved behavior and self-discipline,…

Adolescents (N=18) referred for peer interaction difficulties participated in a program designed to improve social competence in peer interactions. Comparison with 18 socially competent adolescents found substantial differences between groups at pretest and significant improvements on different measures across different adolescents, although…

Problem-based learning was used as an enrichment activity in 2% of an urban middle school's curriculum. Assessment showed that it improved behavior and science achievement of low-income minority students. (SK)

The effectiveness of written instructions was compared with the effectiveness of direct instructions for training in the application of four behavior change processes with 12 undergraduates. Both instructional techniques were effective. Direct instruction was more consistently effective immediately, with both techniques producing similar effects…

This commentary discusses how existing technology and application of functional assessment can be expanded to improve the lives of more people with severe disabilities. It emphasizes how functional assessment can enhance life quality in typical settings in which people with severe disabilities and challenging behavior live, work, and play.…