Evaluates the effectiveness of a peer intervention for disruptive behavior which was based on the results of a classroom-based functional analysis. Results indicate that peer attention, rather than teacher attention or escape/timeout, was associated with the most disruptive classroom behavior, suggesting that peer attention can reduce such…

In passing the Individuals With Disabilities Education Act Amendments of 1997, Congress tackled tough issues regarding educating students with disabilities. This article addresses four changes to IDEA and their implications for secondary principals, including suspension of handicapped students without educational services, development of…

Responding to the fact that young people today have more personal problems and challenging behaviors, Camp CHI (Lake Delton, Wisconsin) and seven day camps affiliated with the Jewish Community Center of Chicago began utilizing trained clinical camp consultants to address individual camper's behavior problems and related staff needs. The positive…

The efficacy of the serotonin uptake inhibitor clomipramine in treatment of self-injurious behavior (SIB) was tested using a double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover trial in eight adults with severe/profound mental retardation. Clomipramine treatment was associated with significant improvement in the frequency of SIB, SIB intensity, and…

This case study applied functional assessment methods to problem behavior of an adult male with severe mental retardation within the natural home setting. The problem behaviors did not occur when the subject was able to participate in a more preferred activity regardless of whether he chose the day activity program or it was chosen for him. (DB)

Meta-analysis of 482 empirical studies on treatment of problem behaviors of individuals with mental retardation found that externally destructive behaviors are less successfully treated than socially disruptive and internally maladaptive behaviors. Also, response contingent procedures were significantly more effective than other procedures.…

Offers a six-step procedure for developing and implementing a response cost system for changing problem classroom behaviors of students with learning disabilities. Steps described are establishing classroom rules, rewarding compliance, selecting reinforcers, reducing noncompliance through response cost consequences, following through on…

An individualized, classroom-based social skills training program was evaluated using 45 children (ages 9-12) with learning disabilities in special education classes. Thirteen children received a 6-week intervention, 7 received a 12-week intervention, and 25 received no training. Children in the six-week program showed gains in social skills and…

This study assessed the intra-rater and inter-rater reliability of the Motivation Assessment Scale as used with 20 adults with mental retardation, expanding the results of previous research by evaluating across additional time and administrations. Results from 19 raters indicated variable moderate-to-low intra-rater and inter-rater reliability.…

This article describes a framework for addressing the social and emotional development and challenging behaviors of young children. This pyramid framework includes four levels of practice to address the needs of all children, including children with persistent challenging behavior. An example is provided demonstrating how to implement this model…

Presents a bibliography of 59 books, journal articles, and web sites for further reading on preventing and responding to children's challenging behaviors. (SD)

Examined longitudinally the relationship between mother-child spontaneous joint play and development of conduct problems in 60 preschoolers. Found that amount of joint play at age 3 predicted individual improvement in conduct problems at age 4, and this association was independent of initial level of conduct problems and hyperactivity, social…

Examined intergenerational transmission of hostile parenting, moderating effects of child negative emotional reactivity, and links between second generation (G2) hostile parenting and G3 problem behaviors. Found that G1 mothers' hostile parenting when target participant was an adolescent (G2) predicted G2 hostile parenting toward their young child…

The purposes of this article are (a) to introduce the existential perspective as a viable theoretical framework for school counselors to utilize when addressing possible violent behavior in youth; and (b) to present a case study that introduces possible school counselor case conceptualization and interventions designed to address the existential…

Provides a historical overview of the development of functional analysis assessment methods. Discusses recent procedural developments that may make functional analysis more practical for psychologists in school or clinical settings. Reviews recent research extending functional analysis procedures to children with average intellectual functioning.…