The effectiveness of behavioral interventions for pediatric feedings problems has been well documented. However, the application of these procedures in the real world is often more complex and difficult than research reports reveal. Multiple factors such as the child's medical condition and history, medical monitoring requirements, and the need to…

This article describes and illustrates a novel form of the changing criterion design called the distributed criterion design, which represents perhaps the first advance in the changing criterion design in four decades. The distributed criterion design incorporates elements of the multiple baseline and A-B-A-B designs and is well suited to applied…

A number of textbooks and professional volumes in applied behavior analysis suggest that interventions designed primarily to decrease a problem behavior should routinely be accompanied by efforts to increase the frequency of at least one appropriate behavior. Some sources describe the objective of this tactic as "replacing" the problem behavior.…

Chomsky's (1959) review of "Verbal Behavior" (Skinner, 1957) has been hailed as the most influential document in the history of psychology. Although many rejoinders to Chomsky's review have been published, their impact has been minimal. Moreover, Chomsky has not answered them in detail. To invite Chomsky to revisit a number of matters concerning…

Cognitive behavioral psychology is a new theoretical orientation. When applied in treatment, it is known as cognitive behavior therapy (CBT). CBT, although based primarily on an information processing model, rests firmly on the twin pillars of both behaviorism and cognitive psychology. Today cognitive therapy and behavioral therapy are terms which…

Pima County's (Arizona) Domestic Violence Diversion Program (DVDP) provides assessment and monitoring services, counseling and education, and support services to defendants in cases of domestic violence in lieu of prosecution and sentencing. After a defendant is arrested for domestic violence, the DVDP assessment is scheduled within 72 hours of…

The use of contingent positive reinforcement and aversive procedures in reducing inappropriate behaviors in five autistic preschoolers was examined. Ss were reinforced for appropriate behaviors (including spontaneous eye contact and verbalizations, appropriate play, interaction, and direction following) and not reinforced for inappropriate…

An 8-year-old hospitalized severely autistic boy was given up to 8 hours per day of therapy for 5 months in an attempt to establish a strong child-therapist affection relationship (which would serve as the basis for all other therapy) and to train the child through a behavior modification program. The teacher-therapist was a graduate student…

This study sought to determine the effectiveness of systematically designed instructional programs in helping adult hypertensives to achieve and maintain dietary sodium intake. Sixty-six subjects were randomly allocated to one of three groups: task-centered instruction; task-centered instruction plus goal-setting and self-monitoring; or control.…

Although caffeine is seemingly harmless in ordinary daily intake, there has been increasing concern about the possible side effects of habitual caffeine ingestion. The excessive daily ingestion of caffeine in the form of coffee, soda pop, tea, and various medications may lead to a chronic disorder known as caffeinism. This study tested the…

The conference paper examines issues in observing and programing for mainstreamed handicapped children. The underlying cause of the academic or behavioral deficit is usually ascribed to one of three categories: (1) lack of prerequisite skills; (2) lack of motivation; or (3) lack of physical ability to perform the behavior necessary to demonstrate…

This study showed that there is a positive value attributed to therapist disclosure, reducing interpersonal distance and risk, and providing a model for productive behavior. The subjects were found to talk longer and achieve higher levels of self exploration in the modeling conditions. (EK)

The goals and procedures of front-end analysis are described and a number of examples are cited. (Author)

These findings in concert with case history data suggest that the thought-stopping-covert-assertion treatment "package" may hold considerable promise as an efficient and effective clinical tool. (Author)

The study was designed to make a 6 year old autistic child's learning sessions more productive by reducing three self stimulatory rituals. Treatment involved structured academic sessions involving the S and one other child in basic motor and vocal imitation training which was done according to Discrete Trial Format followed by structured play. In…