This article reviews general classes of variables which help to maintain aberrant behavior including attention seeking, sensory and perceptual consequences, and access to materials or activities. Suggestions for a methodology providing a comprehensive functional analysis are offered which include descriptive analysis, hypothesis forming,…

Functional analysis conducted during a 90-minute evaluation session identified maintaining variables for aggressive behavior and an alternative replacement response in 3 individuals with severe handicaps. During a subsequent contingency reversal phase, aggressive behavior was substantially reduced and alternative behavior increased. Results…

Reviews research literature on the symptomatology, etiology, performanceand behavioral management (drug and behavior modification treatments) of hyperactive children with normal intelligence. Proposes procedure for evaluating treatment effects in natural settings. (ED)

Major problem areas in evaluating token economies for psychiatric inpatients are identified and discussed. Three categories of methodological deficiencies frequently encountered in the token economy literature are described: (1) inadequate specification of treatment procedures; (2) insufficient or inadequately described dependent measures; and (3)…

In order to examine the effectiveness of a token economy program, sheltered workshop attendance of chronic schizophrenics was investigated under the following conditions: response cost versus no response cost consequences for nonattendance; response cost and noncontingent token payment; and restricted versus unrestricted mobility during the no…

This study, an approach to controlling "acting-out" behaviors of handicapped children in elementary schools, describes the use of a home-based dependent group contingency to eliminate the destructive behavior (fire-setting, vandalizing property) of a mildly retarded eight-year-old boy. (Author/PN)

A child's peers may influence his behavior for better or for worse. By involving a child's peers in his therapy, their influence can be made to be consistently positive. By establishing tailor-made peer-therapy groups, the child psychologist will increase his therapeutic impact. Among the possible formats for involving peers in a child's treatment…

A product of Project Measurement, this facilitator's manual is designed for an inservice course on the use of measurement in the instructional process for special educators of mentally handicapped students. Project Measurement had three goals: (1) to provide a better measurement system for special education teachers, (2) to encourage a team…

This paper presents an evaluation of a 3-year Title III project carried out in the Vigo County School Cooperation, Terre Haute, Indiana. The project involved the evaluation of three differing instructional methodologies utilized in three elementary schools which also differed in the socioeconomic background of the students. The Dixie Bee school,…

The first of two documents designed to train paraprofessionals to work with mildly handicapped students in mainstreamed settings presents information on preservice and inservice education. Four chapters discuss the follwing preservice topics (sample subtopics in parentheses): the teacher (forming a good working relationship); the students (the…

The inservice training package for teachers of severely and profoundly handicapped children consists of six field tested modules. Each module consists of the following components: objectives (general and specific), instructional methodology, instructor materials (lecture notes and transparencies), participant materials (worksheets and handouts),…