Difficulties in the behavioral approach to language intervention with autistic children include extensive staff time and lack of functionality in the language trained. Intervention, whether through speech or an augmentative system such as sign language, should be focused on producing functional language in communicative interaction. (CL)

D. Smith replies to L. Polsgrove's criticisms of Smith's earlier article (EC 133 830) on seclusionary timeout for children with emotional/behavioral problems. Smith suggests that in several studies timeout was seen by the children as a way of relieving the classroom's stimulus overload. (CL)

Evaluated the relationship between mood and weight loss for 76 patients participating in two consecutive behavioral treatment programs. Weight losses averaged 12.2 pounds (5.55 kg) during the 10-week program. Positive changes in mood were reported during this interval, and these changes appeared to be related to changes in weight. (Author/RC)

Results indicated that behavior training strategies used with developmentally disabled people were used nearly twice as often by staff identified as competent as by staff selected at random. Written behavior management programs tended to be used to decrease undersirable behaviors more often than to strengthen adaptive skills. (Author/CL)

The study was designed to modify the stair climbing behavior of two profoundly retarded residents through backward shaping with graduated guidance, edible rewards, a correction procedure, and a 30 second timeout. Both residents showed an increase in the number of correct steps used while ascending the stairs.

Compared Behavior Therapy (BT), self-relaxation (SR), transcendental meditation (TM), and a waiting-list control group (WL) on measures of cardiovascular and subjective stress response. Results indicate that BT and SR were more effective than either TM or WL in reducing cardiovascular stress response. (Author)

Results of the study involving three autistic Ss (four to six-years-old) showed rapid acquisition of target behaviors only when the target behavior was a direct part of the chain leading to the reinforcer. (Author)

Used the Myers Briggs Type Indicator to measure personality type changes in three developmentally disabled adolescents before and after token economy treatment was conducted in a half-way house. (Author/DB)

Describes a simulation game reinforcing students' understanding of the four elements of behavior modification: measurement, intervention, evaluation, and maintenance. (CK)

To find complementary procedures to enhance sports skill acquisition in 23 11 to 35 year olds, a coaching method involving several behavioral techniques was developed that focused on remediaton of errors. Behavioral coaching was immediately effective in increasing the correct execution of complex skills in all three sports. (Author/CL)

The author reviews the history of the behavioral approach in treatment of autistic children and contrasts aspects of the disease or illness model with the learning or behavioral model. He states that the disease model failed in identifying the cause and in providing effective treatment for autism. (CL)

Argues that discourses of lifelong learning act as intellectual technologies that construct individuals as subjects in a learning society. Discuses three discourses using actor-network theory: (1) economics/human capital (individuals as accumulators of skills for competitiveness); (2) humanistic psychology (individuals seeking fulfilment through…

Describes the six tasks of the pretreatment recovery phase. It is in the pretreatment phase that chemically dependent people begin to acknowledge the consequences of their chemical use and struggle with issues of control. Once a person begins to recognize that a problem exists, the motivation for treatment is established. (Contains references.)…

Fear of falling is a threat to the quality of life and independence of older adults. A Matter of Balance is a program that uses cognitive-behavioral therapy to reduce fear of falling and improve physical functioning. A randomized controlled trial (n=434) validated immediate and long-term improvements. (Contains 39 references.) (JOW)

Emphasizes compatibility of behavioral psychology and behavioral interventions in classroom with demands for educational excellence and accountability by teachers. Discusses teacher resistance to implementation of behavioral interventions. Corrects misconceptions involving perceived practical obstacles. Suggests ways for implementing behavioral…