Two experiments with four autistic children (ages 5-13) demonstrated that reinforcement of appropriate toy play was an effective means of reducing disruptive behaviors of autistic children in unsupervised settings. (Author/DB)

The article discusses special considerations in applying standard token economy techniques to behavior change with the head injured with examples of token economies at three rehabilitation facilities. (DB)

A behavioral package was used to shape and maintain adherence of five adult females with recurring vascular headache to a program of aerobic exercise training. Results demonstrated a functional relationship between the behavioral package and exercise adherence, as well as clinically significant collateral reductions in vascular headache activity…

The article describes three aspects of negative reinforcement as it relates to applied behavior analysis: behavior acquired or maintained through negative reinforcement, the treatment of negatively reinforced behavior, and negative reinforcement as therapy. Current research suggests the emergence of an applied technology on negative reinforcement.…

Effects of sensory extinction procedures on nontargeted self-stimulatory behaviors of two autistic boys (7 and 12 years old) were assessed. In Experiment 1 application of sensory extinction for target behaviors resulted in decreased topographically similar behavior, but no change in dissimilar behavior. In Experiment 2, suppression also occurred…

A youngster who excessively watched television was placed on a modified token economy: earned tokens were used to activate the television for set periods of time. Positive effects resulted in the child's school work, in the amount of time his family spent together, and in his mother's perception of family social support. (KH)

Treatment of 35 children (between 1 and 5 years of age) with sleep disorders was focused on helping the child stay in bed quietly if awake and to settle into sleep without parental attention. Improvement occurred in 77 percent. Results illustrate effects of treatment sample selection and indicate dangers of generalizing findings. (Author/RH)

Treatment of an eight-year-old severely mentally retarded girl's repetitive spoon banging consisted of saying "no bang" and pulling a terry cloth bib over the subject's entire face for five seconds. High frequencies of spoon banging during nontreatment conditions rapidly decelerated when facial screaming was in effect. Follow-up data indicated…

Analysis of effects of intertrial intervals on correct responding and self-stimulatory behavior by four autistic children (6-11 years old) revealed that short intertrial intervals produced decreased levels of self-stimulation and increased levels of correct responding. (Author/CL)

Three behaviorally disordered mainstreamed 10- to 12-year-old students were systematically trained to prompt teachers for help, praise teachers after receiving help, and prompt teachers for approval on their academic and social performance. All three subjects were able to modify the amount of teacher help they received in the regular classroom.…

Evaluation results provided strong evidence for the efficacy of university-level self-modification courses. Students demonstrated improvement in their target behaviors and reported significant positive changes in dysfunctional attitudes, fear of negative evaluation, and general self-control skills. (RM)

Investigated the effectiveness of cognitive-behavior modification (CBM) and cognitive-behavior modification plus assertiveness training (CBM/AT), in reducing Type A behavior among university faculty. Findings indicated that both treatments were effective in reducing Type A behavior, but that the addition of assertiveness training in the CBM/AT…

Parents and teachers can cooperate by requiring that behavior problem children successfully complete an activity of low priority (nonpreferred) to them before participating in a high priority (preferred) one. The daily report approach documents the way in which school behavior can be linked to access to home or community activities. (CL)

When positive reinforcement was presented via teacher verbalizations in a noncontingent fixed-time schedule, two autistic children (six and nine years old) increased their percentage of correct responding on difficult and easy tasks. (Author/CL)

Recent research on the Lesch-Nyhan syndrome, a disorder of metabolism, in terms of etiology and characteristics, biomedical treatment options, behavior modifications, daily management concerns, and educational intervention. Specific attention is given to alternatives for dealing with self-injurious behavior in those individuals affected by the…