This paper considers the major consequences of prenatal exposure to cocaine, including physiological effects and characteristics of exposed infants and then goes on to discuss the education of these children, noting various behavioral approaches and the importance of assessment. (DB)

A functional analysis of the aggressive behaviors of a 14-year-old boy with moderate mental retardation found that aggression occurred during instruction on difficult tasks. Researchers taught both a high-efficiency/low-effort and a low-efficiency/high-effort response using communication devices. The high-effort response was used regularly, was…

Biomedical, logistic, economic, social, and psychosocial issues related to the successful distribution and use of a vaccine for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) are reviewed. A mathematical model is introduced as an aid in conceptualizing these issues. The HIV vaccine should be seen as an adjunct to behavioral modification. (SLD)

Evaluated the effects of parent training on mother behavior and the disruptive behavior of eight children. Parent training was conducted within a multiple-baseline design across children. Direct observation, interviews, and standardized rating scales showed improvements in behavior; six-month follow-up demonstrated the stability of changes.…

Identifies six empirically and socially validated conversational behaviors that can serve as targets of interventions designed to increase social interaction among high school students with and without disabilities. Findings indicate that little social interaction occurs among these high school students in the absence of programming or support.…

Studies the association between parenting practices and conduct problem behavior in a sample (N=179) of children and adolescents. Results indicate that parents' involvement in their children's activities is most strongly predictive of conduct problems in the adolescent age group, whereas corporal punishment is most strongly associated with conduct…

Reports on the application of a self-management strategy for improving the classroom behavior of students with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The intervention focuses on teaching students to systematically rate their own behavior according to the rating of their teacher. Two case-study illustrations are provided. (Author/CR)

Describes a partnership between Zoo Atlanta and the Georgia Institute of Technology in teaching the principles of operant conditioning to students in an experimental psychology class. Maintains that the positive training techniques used in zoos are models of applied operant conditioning. Includes a discussion of zoo training goals. (MJP)

This article highlights the necessary components of a functional behavioral assessment, a decision making framework concerning the selection of assessment and intervention procedures to be used at school, and a description of one practical functional behavioral assessment tool, the Initial Line of Inquiry, that has been employed by school-based…

A study analyzed ratings of 55 teachers for the effectiveness and acceptability of a range of interventions and evaluated the impact on those ratings of providing functional information about the problem behavior. Teachers differentially rated brief interruption and differential reinforcement according to the functional information provided in the…

A 10-year-old student with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, predominately inattentive type, was provided with computer software and a paging device with word prompting capabilities to prompt him to initiate and complete daily tasks. The intervention was effective in promoting the occurrence of target behaviors but did not affect overall…

The ability of several process variables to predict therapy outcome was tested with 30 depressed clients who received cognitive therapy with or without medication. Two types of process variables were studied. Client improvement was found to be predicted by two common factors measured: the therapeutic alliance and the client's emotional involvement…

A study examined the effects of a 2-year follow-up prevention program for 31 Head Start kindergarten and first-grade students with behavior problems. Results indicated reduced inappropriate behaviors, including aggression, grabbing, out-of-seat behaviors, and negative verbal statements. Improved compliance and more positive peer interactions were…

This article discusses the involvement of general education teachers in service delivery for students with disabilities and explores 20 related issues, including: current practice-related concerns, legal issues, effective instructional practices, behavior management, and challenges. The need for teacher preparation programs to improve the capacity…

This article presents and discusses several factors with empirical verification that are associated with effective teaching and learning in classrooms for students with emotional and behavioral disorders (EBD). A description follows of how one teacher implements each of the recommended practices and the positive effects on two students with EBD.…