This research review finds that academic activities and instructional interactions are potential sources of aversive stimuli that may increase undesirable escape and avoidance behavior in students with emotional disturbances. By reducing the availability of aversive stimuli in the instructional process, the development of more powerful and…

A survey determined the extent to which selected pediatric dental behavior management techniques are taught both didactically and clinically in 46 predoctoral and 45 postdoctoral programs. Results and trends are reported within the four categories of sedation, restraint, parental presence, and communications behavior management. (GLR)

Discusses specific strategies that teachers can use to help deal with dysfunctional behaviors manifested by abused children in the classroom, such as (1) behaving aggressively; (2) hurting others without seeming to care; (3) deliberately annoying others; (4) being hypervigilant; (5) dissociating themselves; and (6) fearing failure. Also examines…

Techniques for developing self-management skills in students with learning and/or behavioral difficulties are explained, including self-monitoring and self-instruction. Development of self-management skills is seen to facilitate mainstreaming and provide prereferral intervention assistance. (DB)

This article describes the need for early intervention for behavioral/emotional problems in special needs children. The model of the Behavioral Consultation Service of the Anne Arundel County (Maryland) Infants and Toddlers Program is applied to an infant with multiple disabilities, demonstrating relevant issues, intervention strategies to address…

Boarding school adolescent boys (n=197) rated dormitory mates on each dimension of Marcia's levels of ego identity achievement (Identity Achievement, Moratorium, Foreclosure, and Diffusion) twice with interval of six months. Results indicated age differences in identity status for young adolescents, identity development associated with time, and…

Guidelines for effective ecological assessment are put forth in the form of a list of diagnostic questions and a checklist of variables in the child's environment that may be contributing to behavior problems. Physical, psychosocial, and physiological factors are listed for consideration in analyzing the totality of influences on the child. (PB)

Examines disciplinary practices and child-maltreatment attitudes in foreign- and native-born Mexican-American mothers. Subjects responded to accounts of child misconduct and mistreatment. Foreign-born mothers more likely than natives to use spanking and verbal reasoning. Spanking not preferred by either group. Child-mistreatment-response…

Principal components analysis was employed on the Adaptive Behavior Scales with scores of 122 older (mean age 63.5) individuals with severe intellectual impairment living in England. The study found the structure of adaptive skills and interpersonal maladaptive behaviors similar to that found for younger retarded adults. Two factors, personal…

To the extent that applied behavior analysis represents a scientific and practical approach to the study of behavior, its technological character is essential. The most serious problem evident in the field is not that the research being done is too technical but that more good research of all types is needed. (JDD)

The claim that applied behavior analysis is overly technological is refuted, arguing that instead there is a lack of understanding of how technologies proficiently evolve. The solution lies in integrating basic and applied research sectors and coordinating efforts toward specific goals that are defined and valued by the culture. (JDD)

The field of applied behavior analysis is not overly technological but emphasizes technology in some areas, such as research procedures, and not others, such as adoption of intervention programs. Efforts are often focused on program implementation, with little attention to the preparation needed to implement or to leave an effective program in…

Compared low-birthweight infants who participated in an intervention involving educational and family support services during the first three years of life with low-birthweight infants who received pediatric follow-up. Intervention group infants scored higher on cognitive tests and lower on measures of behavior problems at 24 and 36 months than…

Toddlers may bite as a reaction to being forced to be part of a group. Toddlers communicate in a physical manner but do not always connect the social consequences with their actions. By analyzing the circumstances surrounding a biting incident, teachers can redirect the child's energy and avoid a situation where biting might occur. (PAM)

Discusses one teacher's experiences with Kimmie, a Chinese-American first grader with violent tendencies, and how this young girl changed and became manageable, largely through writing and storytelling. Argues that writing may be a means of expression essential to troubled children like Kimmie. (HB)