Several specific research approaches are compared with regard to cost-effectiveness, types of disorders to which they best respond, general strategies, and therapist personality. Replicated findings include: (1) support for both the functional reversal and semantic reversal of the "A-B Scale;" (2) characterization of therapists who are effective…

In a study of behavior modification two Down's syndrome preschool children, the first a 5-year-old boy with autistic behavior patterns and the second a 4-year-old girl whose behavior problem was to reject other children, were examined. The first S was engaged in ball catching activities with a teacher with positive reinforcement (playing the S's…

This paper discusses the ineffectiveness of Suicide Prevention Centers in terms of the following: (1) diffusion vs. specific focus; (2) client centered orientation; (3) passive approach; and (4) failure to develop minority programs. Suggestions for improving prevention efforts are presented. (JLL)

The association between usage of alcohol, cigarettes, marijuana and other behaviors was investigated among ninth graders in 40 schools in Ontario. A sample of 1008 boys and 1040 girls gave information on a range of behaviors and activities. Results indicated that drug usage was strongly associated with delinquent, sexual and social behavior. Both…

Psychometric test and the Uzgiris-Hunt Scale I (the Development of Visual Pursuit and the Permanence of Objects) were administered to mentally retarded preschoolers (N=105), school aged children (N=35), and adolescents (N=8), all functioning in the sensorimotor stage of development. Performances for each group are reported, and parent reactions…

Developmental-academic and social-emotional checklists completed by teachers were used by the Hawaii Department of Health teams to screen preschool age children. The checklists reliably distinguished between 1,376 developmental referrals and 226 non-referrals. The developmental checklist data indicated that the teachers' most frequent…

STUDIES ON THE POOR'S PATTERNS OF CHILD-REARING AND FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS ARE SUMMARIZED AND COMPARED WITH STUDIES ON IDEAL PATTERNS OF CHILD-READING AND LIFE. EDUCATIONALLY ACHIEVING FAMILIES GIVE THE CHILD FREEDOM WITHIN CONSISTENT LIMITS AND A WIDE RANGE OF PARENT-GUIDED EXPERIENCES. VERY POOR FAMILIES LIMIT FREEDOM FOR EXPLORATION AND HAVE A…

MANY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL CHILDREN IN THE DISADVANTAGED AREAS OF BOSTON MANIFEST SERIOUS EMOTIONAL AND BEHAVIORAL PROBLEMS WHICH HINDER THEIR PERFORMANCE IN SCHOOL AND OFTEN NEGATE THE VALUE OF THE SCHOOL'S EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM. FACTORS IN THE HOME AND NEIGHBORHOOD ENVIRONMENT OFTEN CAUSE PROBLEMS SUCH AS ANTAGONISTIC BEHAVIOR IN SCHOOL, ABUSIVENESS…

The efficacy of a systematic program of intervention for behaviorally disordered students was investigated with 29 teachers and 487 students in secondary schools. Teacher Ss were divided into two groups, 16 experimental Ss who participated in 6 days of workshop training and served as advocates for 1 to 3 students and 13 control teachers. Student…

These workshop materials are the guidelines Broward County (Florida) has established to carry out the state legislative mandate authorizing school boards to establish educational alternative programs to meet the individual needs and interests of students who are disruptive, unsucessful, or disinterested in the normal school environment. Included…

This report to Congress cites the fact that about one-fourth of institutionalized juvenile delinquents tested in two states had primary learning problems or learning disabilities. Most juvenile delinquents have behavior problems in school, and many may be academic underachievers--pupils of normal intelligence who are two or more years below the…

The author reviews commonly held myths about public school programs for behavior problem, chronically disruptive students in Iowa, citing the lack of resource options for these students in many areas of the state. He disputes the following "ill-founded notions": 1) behaviorally disordered children are qualitatively distinct from normal…

To establish diagnostic criteria, 12 fire-raising or pyromaniac children (7-15 years old) were compared with 12 control students matched for age, sex, and intellect. Six diagnostic procedures, including the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children, the Lowenstein Fire Raising Diagnostic Test, and the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire, were used to…

A methodology for conducting research on managing the disruptive student based on identifying successful teacher strategies is described. The subjects of this study were teachers selected as being outstanding or average in their ability to cope with behavior problems. Data collection included two half-day classroom observations, a structured…

Two papers describe studies to decrease inappropriate social behaviors of severely retarded students. R. Spangler and others in "The Effect of a Time-Out Procedure on the Duration of Tantrum Behavior in a 13-Year-Old Severely Retarded Male S" report on a three phase study in which a combination of verbal instructions and a timeout procedure…