A natural language sample of babble and words was obtained for 47 2-year-old children and compared with expressive language scores 5 months later. More than 50 percent of the variance in language outcome test scores was accounted for by rate of word use, rate of vowel babble, and behavior problems. (Author/DB)

The Discipline Option Form successfully combines reduced disciplinary consequences with a positive learning experience. The principal helps the student select appropriate topics for improvement and discusses them during the initial office visit. The student writes a short improvement plan and returns the form with the parent's signature.…

The individualized education programs (IEPs) of 107 junior high students with behavioral disorders were reviewed. An average of 2.4 behavior problems and 4 goals were noted per student, with a low correlation between problems and goals. (Author/DB)

First and second graders (n=58) were assigned to experimental and control groups for behavior intervention program by matching for scores on Teacher's Report Form (TRF), ability, and achievement. Experimental subjects received classroom-based behavior intervention mediated by teachers. Pre- and postintervention TRFs showed significant…

Administration of the School Social Behavior Scales to 81 elementary-age gifted students indicated that subjects had higher levels of social competence and lower levels of antisocial behavior than did a comparison group. Findings also indicated the presence of a small subset of gifted students with extremely poor social competence and high levels…

Two studies analyzed the effects of preceding setting events on the problem behavior of 2 students (ages 20 and 22) with severe disabilities. Results indicated that the occurrence of preceding setting events was related to higher frequencies of problem behavior, and interventions designed to eliminate preceding setting events were consistently…

An American Association of University Women study indicates that 85% of girls and 76% of boys in grades 8-11 have experienced some form of sexual harassment. Recent court decisions underline schools' responsibility for ensuring a safe school environment. Administrators should act to eliminate sexual harassment, educate students, involve parents,…

In this study, interrater reliability of the Motivation Assessment Scale (MAS) was investigated utilizing 84 direct-care staff members familiar with 42 adults with moderate to profound mental retardation. Problematic overt behaviors were evaluated using the MAS. MAS items were found to be moderately but significantly reliable across raters.…

Compared 30 adolescents with psychiatric diagnosis and 28 adolescents without psychiatric diagnosis on parent-completed Revised Behavior Problem Checklist and self-completed Revised Children's Manifest Anxiety Scale, Children's Depression Inventory, and Revised Symptom Checklist (SCL-90-R). Two groups of adolescents were significantly…

Thirteen people with severe/profound mental retardation and serious problem behavior were transferred from institutional care to group homes in England. Participation in meaningful activities increased significantly and included a wider range of activities. Most participants did not increase their major problem behavior. (Author/JDD)

This paper describes 10 components of a comprehensive classroom-based program for students with emotional and behavioral problems included in regular classrooms. It contrasts the program's educative approach with more control-oriented approaches and discusses methods to overcome common barriers to implementation of such programs. (DB)

Interviews were conducted with 63 parents of severely handicapped children recently placed out of the home. Results indicated that strong decision making influences were perceived parental stress, child's level of functioning, and child behavior problems, with lack of appropriate supportive services being a moderate influence. (Author/JDD)

Practitioners of applied behavior analysis need to create a model for developing and evaluating behavioral technology consistent with the approach of other natural sciences. The model should focus on developing an experimental literature that is comprehensive in both its attempt to understand target behaviors and its search for the how and why of…

Functional analysis conducted during a 90-minute evaluation session identified maintaining variables for aggressive behavior and an alternative replacement response in 3 individuals with severe handicaps. During a subsequent contingency reversal phase, aggressive behavior was substantially reduced and alternative behavior increased. Results…

To reduce problem behaviors in the classroom, teachers should emphasize the desired behaviors they want students to exhibit, through differential reinforcement of zero rates of behaviors, incompatible behaviors, lower rates of behavior, and communicative behaviors. This paper discusses the advantages of differential reinforcement, potential…