Behavior modification programs undertaken in institutions for mentally retarded persons are often done inconsistently or incorrectly. Initial remedies should emphasize basic principles of applied behavioral analysis in graudate training and the development of programs addressing more than simple reinforcement contingencies. (CL)

Behavioral approaches to the treatment of obese mentally retarded individuals are reviewed. Studies are examined regarding the level of mental retardation, age group, techniques employed, and weight lost at the end of treatment. Conclusions relate implications for practitioners, as well as future research concerns. (Author)

Psychologists in a large institution for mentally retarded persons present their observations from a week of serving as direct care staff. They report on the effectiveness of such procedures as reducing the noise level, alleviating crowding, structuring activities, and persisting in correcting resident behavior. (CL)

Mechanical restraint and a contingent "stand-up" procedures were used to treat self-injurious behaviors (SIB) of a profoundly mentally retarded institutionalized adult. Treatment consisted of gradually increasing time out of restraint, providing reinforcement for not engaging in SIB, and a brief time-out/physical hold procedure contingent upon the…

A guest editorial comments on the acrimonious rhetoric and arguments exhibited in the debate over the use of aversives with individuals with mental retardation. The editorial urges members of the field to refocus their framing of the issues around respect for persons, beneficence, and justice. (JDD)

A survey of 190 public and community residential facilities indicate that staff in community and public residential facilities must be prepared to deal with maladaptive behavior, that behaviorally oriented response strategies appear to be most effective, and that there is a need for greater attention to training direct-care residential staff in…

This article describes the development of statewide system change in positive behavior support being implemented by the South Carolina Department of Disabilities and Special Needs in collaboration with the University of South Carolina. Key areas discussed include the impetus for change, the development process, plan components, capacity building,…

The study examined the efficacy of reinforcement and response cost in the elimination of an institutionalized severely mentally retarded individual's food stealing and scavenging behavior during mealtimes. Through the use of discriminative stimuli and positive reinforcement, food stealing was virtually eliminated. (Author/CL)

Differential reinforcement of appropriate behavior was used in combination with a naturalistic restitution procedure utilizing victim participation to reduce the assaultive and interpersonal sexual behavior and genital self stimulation of an adolescent Down's syndrome male in a school setting. (Author/DLS)

Comparison of developmentally disabled adolescents presenting conduct disorder (N=56) with those exhibiting other types of psychopathology (N=57) found significant differences in the conduct disordered group including: more severe retardation, fewer pubertal changes, fewer persons with epilepsy, more normal electroencephalographs, and more…

An automated training device was used in the differential reinforcement of an incompatible behavior in the treatment of hand mouthing of a boy with profound mental retardation and blindness. The presentation of music and vibration contingent upon bilateral hand-switch placement resulted in substantial and sustained reduction of hand mouthing with…

A differential reinforcement of other behavior (DRO) procedure employed alone, and then in combination with restitution and positive practice, did not produce clinically significant changes in the rate of disrobing. Subsequently, the use of DRO plus restitution and negative practice reduced frequency of disrobing to either zero or one episode per…

A model for explaining target behaviors in a prevocational behavior change project with three trainable retarded young adults is described. Results showed that the model is an effective strategy for enhancing the potency of behavioral interventions. (Author/MC)

Four profoundly mentally retarded middle-aged female residents in a state institution Behavior Problems Program were trained through the use of an interdependent group-oriented contingency procedure to sit and later to work on prevocational tasks. (Author)

The effectiveness of a quick-transfer language training method combined with incidental teaching on snack requests was examined with two severely mentally retarded primary grade children. Trained requesting behavior transferred to incidental opportunities and was maintained at 1-month followup. (DB)