Opportunities for teaching a young child with autism to request more play were created at multiple points on the playground by momentarily interrupting the child's ongoing play using the behavior chain interruption strategy. The intervention resulted in high rates of correct requesting which were maintained with a new teacher and generalized to a…

A study involving an elementary student with learning disabilities evaluated the effectiveness of a high-probability request sequence on compliance to a request for completion of a math assignment. High probability requests were effective in reducing the latency to compliance but only minimally affected duration of engagement. (Contains five…

The effectiveness of written instructions was compared with the effectiveness of direct instructions for training in the application of four behavior change processes with 12 undergraduates. Both instructional techniques were effective. Direct instruction was more consistently effective immediately, with both techniques producing similar effects…

This study compared the relative efficacy of providing simultaneous or delayed reinforcement on food acceptance during meals with a seven-year-old boy with pervasive developmental disorder and a history of food selectivity. Although both procedures were effective, the simultaneous reinforcement procedure produced more rapid behavior change and a…

The self-injurious escape behavior of an adult with developmental disabilities was treated with extinction. Results of a reversal design showed substantial bursts of responding when extinction was introduced and reintroduced: self-injury remained at a variable and elevated rate for some time before stable, low rates were observed. (Author/DB)

In two studies, 18 middle school boys with serious emotional disturbances (SED) were taught to use a social skills curriculum to teach more positive peer interactions to peers with SED. Results indicate the desired effects of the peer-based social skills instruction, with some evidence of behavior maintenance and transfer. (Contains references.)…

A three-phase functional assessment was conducted to develop and test hypotheses about the relation between instructional accommodations in academic areas and behavior problems for three adolescents with severe behavioral disorders. Implementation of one or more of the instructional accommodations resulted in improved academic productivity and…

Presents the implementation of Teacher-Child Interaction Therapy (TCIT) within the preschool setting, using a case study approach. TCIT was found to increase the number of positive interactions between child and teacher. It was also effective in decreasing the child's disruptive behaviors, increasing compliance, and decreasing the need for the…

The effectiveness of a video feedback and self-management package was assessed with various inappropriate behaviors exhibited by six adolescents with mild mental retardation. Participants evaluated their own videotaped behavior. Results showed a statistically significant decrease of the percentage intervals of inappropriate behavior when the…

This article describes a school where problems of defiance and aggression were met with high levels of seclusion and physical restraints. Centennial School had a comprehensive program of interventions designed to reduce and eventually eliminate aversive management strategies. Data on the effectiveness of these interventions is shared and…

This article explains how to implement "unified discipline" as a school-wide approach to managing problem behavior, an approach designed to support educators in meeting the needs of students with emotional and behavioral problems in general education classrooms by establishing unified attitudes, expectations, correction procedures, and team roles.…

Educators face the dilemma of zero tolerance versus zero rejection. The pressure to maintain safe classrooms while simultaneously educating all students is a challenging proposition. This article is used to share data that were collected as part of a larger study on teachers' beliefs about their own self-efficacy regarding general classroom…

The purpose of this study was to critically examine the positive approaches to behavioral intervention research and young children demonstrating challenging behavior. The authors conducted a comprehensive review of articles published between 1984 and 2003 across 23 peer-reviewed journals. Each article that met the criteria for inclusion in the…

Introduction: This study investigates the use of a commitment to change (CTC) instrument as an integral approach to continuing medical education (CME) planning, implementation, and evaluation and as a means of facilitating physician behavior change. Methods: Descriptive statistics and grounded theory methods were employed. Data were collected from…

The development of adolescents with severe behavioural problems receiving residential treatment in Holland was empirically studied during 1 year. Treatment methods included a standard program comprising behavioural modification and three specific treatment programs: psychodynamic treatment, structured community living and adventurous learning. The…