This article discusses issues related to the use of applied behavior analysis (ABA) with students who have autism-related disabilities. These include: implementation forms, outcome expectations, exclusive versus selective use of ABA, time-related considerations, and personnel requirements for effective ABA implementation, evaluation, and…

Recent experiments are reviewed in three areas of research concerning reinforcement schedules: (1) behavioral history effects on schedule performance; (2) the role of instructions in schedule performance of humans; and (3) dynamic schedules of reinforcement. The paper concludes by identifying some general issues concerning reinforcement schedules…

Several studies identifying establishing operations for negatively reinforced behavior among nine adults with developmental disabilities are reported. After verifying through functional analysis that self-injurious behavior was maintained by escape, some establishing properties of task demands were investigated by systematically altering task…

Teaching the cognitive behavior modification technique of self-instruction to students with learning disabilities involves seven steps: (1) cognitive modeling; (2) overt external guidance; (3) overt self-guidance; (4) modeling of faded overt self-guidance; (5) fading overt self-guidance; (6) modeling of covert self-instruction; and (7) covert…

All in-school suspension (ISS) models can be classified into punitive, problem-solving, academic, and individual models. The individual model is most reasonable, since it assumes that reasons for misbehavior vary from student to student. ISS programs can help modify student misbehavior, protect the overall learning environment by isolating…

Preadolescents with hyperfunctional voice disorders may respond readily to behavioral voice therapy based on education, voice conservation strategies, direct vocal function exercises, family and peer support, and relaxation. Treatment should focus on integration of health respiration, phonation, and vocal tract resonance to achieve improved…

Caregivers of eight children with severe disabilities were asked to rank order, according to predicted client preference, a standard list of reinforcers and a list generated using a structured interview with caregivers. Systematic choice assessments were then conducted. Results indicated that caregiver predictions of client preferences were…

Many diversity programs ask too much of managers, lack tangible standards, are the wrong tool, or may encourage stereotyping. Managing diversity requires communicating commitment to fair treatment, focusing on commonalities, prohibiting unacceptable conduct, teaching rules of civil behavior, and defining the issue as one of business risk…

Examines the prevalence of nervous habits, tics, and stuttering and the relationship between these behaviors and general anxiety in college students (n=256). Participants completed self-report measures of general anxiety and somatic awareness. Relationships were found between number of nervous habits and self-reported awareness of bodily…

Presents a case study of one two-year-old examining strategies for dealing with aggressive behavior. Time-out, and time-out coupled with differential reinforcement of alternative behaviors, were successful in weakening the target behavior of aggression. Whether behaviors can be sustained without further intervention is worthy of further study.…

A study investigated the use of different interventions for 151 individuals with mental retardation in residential care: Individualized Habilitation Plan objectives concerning challenging behavior, one-to-one crisis intervention in the preceding 30 days, and behavior management professional services in the preceding 6 months. Externalized…

A study involving 21 individuals with mental retardation found functional communication training (FCT) with extinction was effective in reducing problem behavior in the majority of cases; however, when demand or delay-to-reinforcement fading was added, treatment efficacy decreased. FCT with punishment resulted in a reduction in problem behavior…

This study evaluated use of the interpolation of reinforcement effect, which combines intermittent (INT) and continuous reinforcement (CRF) schedules, with four young children with autism using a free-operant preparation. Results suggest that responding may be less resistant to extinction following interpolated CRF reinforcement than following INT…

Social phobia can be conceptualized from a social work perspective as an extreme shyness that can be overcome with cognitive learning and behavioral rehearsal. This article reviews the biopsychosocial causes of social phobia and presents a summary of cognitive and behavioral interventions with empirically demonstrated effectiveness. (Author)

Using the World Wide Web, one can browse through an ever-expanding collection of resources that provide positive and effective interventions for orchestrating an efficient, respectful, and welcoming academic environment. A number of exceptional websites that provide behavior management assistance to teachers and other youth professionals are…