Analysis of the reinforcement and extinction components of differential reinforcement of other behavior (DRO) of three women with developmental disabilities and self-injurious behavior (SIB) found that DRO was only effective in combination with the relevant extinction component (withholding of attention for SIB). (Author/DB)

Assessment of self-injurious behavior (SIB) in three individuals with developmental disabilities revealed that the behavior was an escape response maintained by negative reinforcement. Treatment consisted of extinction plus instructional fading and resulted in immediate and large reductions in SIB behaviors. Maintenance occurred as instruction…

This study compared types of differential reinforcement of other behavior (DRO), namely, reward DRO (reward for omission of problem behavior), escape DRO (termination of instruction contingent on omission of problem behavior), and combined DRO. The combined DRO approach was most effective in reducing behavior problems of three adolescents with…

The history of the terms "punishment" and "aversive" is traced, and the influence of inconsistent usage and negative association associated with these terms is analyzed. A conceptual framework is presented to guide the choice of an alternative terminology for behavior reduction. (Author/JDD)

Elementary school teacher describes his experience with Matt, an emotionally disturbed fourth grader. After Matt acknowledged that he felt nobody liked him, the teacher made a point of paying more attention to him, integrating him into the class, and emphasizing his strengths. Eventually, Matt improved, cooperated, and made friends. (SM)

Investigated 85 female adolescent inpatients in treatment for problems of differentiation and emancipation. Used treatment variation which suggested that girls were suffering from variety of posttraumatic stress disorder. When ritualistic behavioral repetitions were addressed by cognitive behavioral approaches, behaviors decreased. Findings…

Investigated impact of differential use of five cognitive-behavioral strategies on adjustment to bereavement. Findings from 164 widows, studied 5 to 11 months following the loss of their husbands, supported hypothesis that use of these strategies would significantly predict postmorbid adjustment over and above that predicted by demographic factors…

A study of an adolescent with severe mental retardation, who demonstrated self-injurious behavior (SIB) when given attention, evaluated the extent to which providing attention only to appropriate communication would reduce SIB. The client's SIB was reduced significantly only when the therapist left the room when he engaged in SIB. (CR)

A study of a 15-year-old girl with autism who engaged in self-injury and aggression, found that gradually increasing the delay to reinforcement (access or escape), mand training, and extinction were effective for decreasing self-injury. Only when the gradual delay procedure was eliminated, however, was there a reduction in aggression. (Author/CR)

Noncontingent escape (NCE) was used to reduce disruptive behavior in three children (age 4) with autism during regularly scheduled speech therapy sessions. Results showed rapid decreases in disruptive behavior and accompanying increases in compliance across children. Findings suggest that speech therapists can effectively implement NCE. (Author/CR)

Reviews studies involving noncontingent reinforcement (NCR) for the treatment of challenging behavior such as aggression, self-injury, and extreme tantrums in persons with developmental disabilities. A clinical guide for implementation is delineated. Among the advantages of NCR is ease of implementation. NCR appears particularly relevant for…

Notes that time-outs have become a preferred method for setting limits with preschool children, and illustrates why this method is not developmentally appropriate for use with toddlers. Suggests that caregivers should join young children at play, be alert for learning opportunities, and develop practices to minimize conflicts. (LBT)

Reviews possible links between obesity and borderline-personality disorder and discusses treatment approaches for those individuals demonstrating such comorbidity. Approaches include modification of current techniques for obesity treatment and incorporation of psychodynamic counseling specific to borderline-personality disorder. (Author/GCP)

Compares the efficacy of PrimeTime interventions (therapeutic mentoring, training in problem-solving skills, consultation with parents) with standard mentoring for teacher-identified aggressive children (N=62). Outcome analyses revealed small gains for both treatments and provided only partial support for the efficacy of the PrimeTime…

At an educational facility for at-risk youth, data on the use of punitive behavior management techniques was gathered before, during, and after staff training in the use of more positive approaches for responding to disruptive behavior. Discusses the shifts from reactive management of disturbing behavior to positive interactions between staff and…