Observations of three parent-child dyads seeking help for severe interactional problems provided tentative support for the predictability hypothesis, which suggests that social interactions are most likely to function as aversive stimuli when delivered in unpredictable fashion by either party and that responses instrumental in reducing…

The authors discuss the nature, use, and application of behavioral rating scales for students with behavior disorders. An annotated list of eight behavioral rating scales is included. (CL)

Nonaversive procedures (including differential reinforcement of other behaviors, differential reinforcement of low rates of responding, differential reinforcement of alternative behavior, and stimulus control) were effective in bringing target behaviors under control for five students (14-17 years old) with autism or autistic-like behavior. (CL)

Examined and compared the use of Public Law 94-142 seriously emotionally disturbed (SED) guidelines, the DSM III (Diagnositc and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 3rd edition), and the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) system, in the school setting. The systems agreed in only 37 percent of the cases. (Author/BL)

A survey of 190 public and community residential facilities indicate that staff in community and public residential facilities must be prepared to deal with maladaptive behavior, that behaviorally oriented response strategies appear to be most effective, and that there is a need for greater attention to training direct-care residential staff in…

The article examines preventive measures (classroom rules, token or response-cost systems, contracts, cognitive behavioral techniques, and physical exercise programs) as well as consequential measures (time-out, verbal intervention, punishment, and physical restraint). The article further identifies (based on survey results) the types of…

Reviews several factors affecting whether the dismissal of a teacher for immoral conduct will withstand court scrutiny. These factors center on the conduct's impact on the teacher's ability to teach effectively and include the conduct's context, the teacher's history and motives, and the effects of disciplinary responses to the conduct. (PGD)

Attempted to expand the construct validity of the profile and factor scales for the Personality Inventory for Children (PIC) by determining the relationship of these scales to empirically derived dimensions of problem behaviors in children and adolescents (N=691). Results provided substantial evidence of convergent and discriminant validity. (LLL)

Presents an analysis of literature on nutrition for school counselors interested in exploring how behavior and learning problems can be related to diet. Provides guidelines for implementing nutritional strategies, some basic recommendations, and suggested readings. (LLL)

A procedure for teaching compliance (and building student time-on-task) and a sequence for compliance training were effective in radically increasing the compliance and on-task behaviors of a 4-year old severely disruptive child who had learned not to comply. (Author/CL)

Comparison of the personal and social adjustment of 124 gifted elementary school students and 124 nongifted controls revealed that gifted Ss showed fewer behavior problems. Boys of both gifted and nongifted groups demonstrated greater conduct disorder problems. (CL)

Parents' reports on social competence and behavioral problems were obtained for 123 learning disabled boys aged 6-11. On average, the parents of LD boys reported significantly lower levels of social competence and more behavior problems than normative samples. (Author/CL)

Giles de La Tourette disease (TD) is characterized by multiform changing vocal and motor tics with a wide range of accompanying behavioral symptoms. The range of tics and behavioral problems seen in TD is described along with a typcial case report in a multiply disabled child. Diagnostic criteria, and treatment recommendations are also given.…

The effects of an Assertive Discipline program on reducing out-of-seat and inappropriate talking among third-grade students were investigated. Results indicated a functional relationship between the program and the dependent measures. Social validation was provided by informal measures of teacher behavior and interviews with the principal,…

Examines the relationship between maternal depression and child behavior problems at various stages after childbirth. A random sample of first-time mothers from an inner London borough participated, and an examination of possible confounding factors in the relationships was attempted. (RH)