A 21-year-old woman who was totally blind, severely hearing impaired, functionally retarded, behaviorally resistive, self-stimulative, self-abusive, and who lacked basic communication skills, was taught to sit quietly and wait on command. (Author/PHR)

A systematic sequence of prompt and probe trials was used to teach picture names to three severely retarded children (aged 4). For all children the fixed ratio schedule for correct responses to prompts, combined with the every correct response reinforced schedule for correct responses to probes, generated the best results. (Author/PHR)

Three moderately retarded adults who had minimal ability to tell time were trained to "time-manage." Results indicated that the package consisting of preinstruction, instructional feedback, and picture cues was effective in producing independent time-management responding. (Author)

Six mildly mentally retarded adults (ages 21 to 39), equally divided into two treatment groups, were provided with individualized social skills training programs. Results indicated that treatment was effective for virtually all behaviors across all Ss, improvements occurred for both training and generalization scenes, and behavioral performance…

Predelinquent and delinquent youths were given behavior modification, social skills, and self-management training. The youths demonstrated a decrease in the number of problem behaviors exhibited at home and in school. The benefits of a self-management approach to juvenile offenders are discussed. (Author)

The S was taught to self-monitor his on- and off-task behavior by using an audiotape recorder to cue his self-recording. Using a combination of multiple baseline across responses and reversal designs, on-task behavior increased dramatically under treatment conditions for both handwriting and math. (Author/DLS)

Social controversy and legal ambivalence have been prevalent regarding homosexuality. Guardians of tradition, have all moved toward decriminalization in their own fashion. Yet this thrust has been halted by a recent Supreme Court decision. The homosexual may have to retreat to the closet unless renewal occurs. (Author)

Suggesting the need for better counseling services as adult education is made available to more individuals, the author illustrates some of the difficulties and rewards of counseling by using examples from the field of social services. He notes that the basic examples are applicable to adult education or any kind of counseling service. (WL)

In this study, 11 males with autism and mental retardation were administered risperidone. Substantial clinical improvement was noted almost immediately; patients with aggression, self-injury, explosivity, and poor sleep hygiene were most improved. The modal dose for optimal response was 0.5 mg bid. Weight gain was a significant side effect.…

Describes a training module that helps teachers and others working with children to address challenging behaviors. Discusses ways to assess problem behaviors, elements that influence behavior, and components of functional assessment. Offers questions that can help decode behavior. (RJM)

Incidents of unruliness, defiance, and even violence on the school bus are escalating. Many school districts find that a behavior-management focus in their bus-driver training pays off in fewer serious discipline incidents and more job satisfaction among drivers. (MLF)

Identifies four treatment techniques that may be applied when problem behavior is maintained by negative reinforcement: (1) functional communication training; (2) behavioral momentum; (3) differential reinforcement or an alternative escape behavior; and (4) errorless learning. Each of the techniques is defined, and applications and guidelines for…

This study examined the effects of three reinforcement histories on the persistence of task engagement by two students (ages 9-10) who were off task during independent seat work. Results found the reinforcement history that contained an instructional control component produced the greatest persistence in student engagement. (Author/CR)

Describes a series of experiments designed to identify why the classroom use of timeouts sometimes failed. Results indicate that both treatment integrity and the function of student behavior problems were related to treatment success and failure. Discusses implications for the function of student behavior problems, treatment selection, and other…

Describes the Extended Attention Span Training (EAST) system for modifying attention deficits, which takes the concept of biofeedback one step further by making a video game more difficult as the player's brain waves indicate that attention is waning. Notes contributions of this technology to neuropsychology and neurology, where the emphasis is on…