Reviews studies involving noncontingent reinforcement (NCR) for the treatment of challenging behavior such as aggression, self-injury, and extreme tantrums in persons with developmental disabilities. A clinical guide for implementation is delineated. Among the advantages of NCR is ease of implementation. NCR appears particularly relevant for…

Describes the Constructive Discipline model as a preventive positive approach for managing behavior problems in school settings. Compares Constructive Discipline with traditional discipline approaches and stresses the need to clarify discipline policy, provide considerable staff support, and make allowances for individual student differences in…

This study compared maladaptive behavior in 23 people with Prader-Willi syndrome due to paternal deletion and in 23 age- and gender-matched subjects with maternal uniparental disomy. Controlling for IQs, the deletion cases showed significantly higher maladaptive ratings, more symptom-related distress, and more behavior problems. Findings suggest a…

A survey of the families of 62 persons with Prader-Willi syndrome examined the prevalence, topographies, and specific body locations of self-injurious behaviors. Self-injury was reported for 81% of the participants. Skin-picking was the most prevalent form with the front of the legs and head being disproportionately targeted. Incidence also varied…

Examined the number and nature of temperamental types in 488 children, age 3 years 6 months. Configural-frequency-analysis methods showed clear support for two temperament types: controlled-nonexpressive and noncontrolled-expressive. These types showed meaningful differences against external criteria related to a wide range of problem behaviors.…

Notes that time-outs have become a preferred method for setting limits with preschool children, and illustrates why this method is not developmentally appropriate for use with toddlers. Suggests that caregivers should join young children at play, be alert for learning opportunities, and develop practices to minimize conflicts. (LBT)

When people feel they belong, they care about what others think of them. In conducting teacher workshops, author has encountered growing numbers of teachers who report a whole new class of students who act as if they don't care about their behavior and for whom authority has little or no meaning. This article discusses strategies for creating…

Examines the effects of competency-based instructional paradigm on parent skill acquisition and noncompliant behavior of four children ages 6 to 9. Results suggest that the treatment program within a consultation model is an effective method of indirect service delivery when used with parents of noncompliant school-age children. (Author/JDM)

This longitudinal study examined relations between self-reported parental reactions to children's negative emotions (PNRs) and children's socially appropriate/problem behavior and negative emotionality. Evidence was consistent with the conclusion that relationship between children's externalizing, but not internalizing, emotion and parental…

Examines relationships among prosocial values and three measures of self-efficacy as predictors of delinquency, risky sex, and drug use in a sample of 2,146 racially diverse adolescents. Adolescents with strong prosocial values and self-efficacy reported fewer problem behaviors. Discusses implications for program development and implementation.…

Recounts the case of Lauren, a moderately disabled student suspended for disruptive, aggressive behavior before the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act was amended. The Seventh Court of Appeals upheld the suspension. The majority of such cases have gone against districts, reflecting a relatively high judicial standard of dangerous…

Evaluates the concept of "establishing operation" (EO) in the functional analysis of problem behavior in people with developmental disabilities. Suggestions for detecting "conditioned establishing operations" are offered. Also discusses the development of treatment strategies that seek to modify EOs, extinguish EOs, and modify…

The 1997 Individuals with Disabilities Education Act amendments include discipline-related provisions that expand school officials' authority to deal with disabled students caught with weapons or drugs or exhibiting dangerous behaviors and clarify procedures governing manifestation determination, provision of educational services during…

A study of 124 maltreated children (ages 5-10) examined the way in which they processed social information 12 months following entrance into foster care. Measures reflecting unbiased and competent processing were predictive of social adaptation, whereas measures reflecting biased and incompetent processing were predictive of behavior problems.…

This discussion of positive behavior support for people with disabilities identifies four themes: (1) behavior support should reduce problem behavior and affect how a person lives; (2) functional assessment is the foundation for understanding patterns of problem behavior; (3) behavior support should be comprehensive in structure and scope; and (4)…