Chronically disruptive students are often funneled into "watered-down" alternative schools that warehouse rather than educate them. The Atlantic County (New Jersey) Alternative High School is a successful college-based program that expects referred students to fulfill normal academic requirements while taking tuition-free college…

Violence against children is increasing; so is random student violence and disruptive behavior in classrooms. Instead of fortifying their gates, schools must teach children alternatives to violence and how to make better choices. A "humane highway" can be constructed by reducing cynicism, welcoming all students, replacing reward- and…

This essay discusses the significance functional analysis has had for applied behavior analysis of aberrant behavior. The methodology has lessened the field's reliance on default technologies and promoted analysis of environment-behavior interactions maintaining target responses as the basis for selecting treatments. It has also contributed to the…

Curricular activity preference was determined for 3 students (ages 9-15) with moderate intellectual disabilities. Subsequent evaluation of the influence of activity preference on student behavior revealed that preferred activities were associated with reduced levels of problem behavior and increased levels of desirable behaviors. (Author/JDD)

Presents a study in which 134 college students judged children in vignettes varying on child gender and family history to test perceiver bias. Perceiver bias was confirmed. Perceptions of female sexual abuse victims were more biased than perceptions of male victims. (Author/SR)

Examines the effectiveness of a self-monitoring package on the task engagement and disruptive behaviors of two elementary school students in full-time special education classes. Results indicate that self-monitoring was highly effective in increasing task management while decreasing disruptive behavior. (JPS)

This article raises concerns about implementing England's National Curriculum for students with challenging behavior in schools for those with emotional and behavioral difficulties. Challenges include insufficient teacher subject expertise, pupil underachievement in subject areas, the need for more structured environments, emotional stress on…

This study developed an experimental analysis procedure based on the results of a descriptive assessment, involving five parents and their children with problem behaviors. The experimental analysis required only four sessions to demonstrate a function for each subject's problem behaviors. Interventions involving functional communication training…

Describes the clinical features and epidemiology of school refusal. Focuses on the use of cognitive-behavioral approaches to treatment, as illustrated with a case study. Emphasizes the role of teachers in the identification and treatment of school refusal. (HTH)

Past and current research on the effects of foods ingested and food allergies on hyperactivity and other behavior problems are examined in this article. It is argued that evidence supporting a link between diet and behavior is lacking. Methods for correcting widespread public misconceptions on this subject are also discussed. (Author/PB)

This study analyzed effects of repetitive task size on rate of responding and behavior of five adolescents with autism and mental retardation. Compared to large-task conditions, small-task conditions resulted in higher on-task behavior and better work-related behavior for all participants and higher work rate for four participants. (Author/PB)

This case study focused on an adult with severe disabilities and multiple problem behaviors fitting a pattern of behavioral escalation. Functional assessment indicated that use of rule statements by the teacher was related to occurrence and escalation of problem behaviors. Elimination of rule statements was an effective instructional intervention…

This article examines the concept of negative reinforcement in relation to the maintenance of off-task and disruptive behaviors in classrooms. Suggestions are given for determining whether negative reinforcement (in the form of escape from the instructional task) or teacher attention is maintaining the behavior. Suggestions for making tasks less…

Trained observers conducted direct observations of Thai and American children's school behavior and obtained teacher reports on the same children. Observers reported twice as much problem behavior and off-task behavior in American children as in their Thai age-mates, contradicting some earlier studies. Findings support the value of direct behavior…

This paper reports on the first two years of operation of an Interdisciplinary Review Committee managing the use of psychotropic medication in a training center for people with intellectual disabilities in Victoria (Australia). Clients (n=25) receiving medication to manage challenging behavior had daily doses of neuroleptic medication reduced by…