The purpose of this study was to examine the behavioral states of individual children for evidence of responsiveness within and without a multisensory environment (MSE). Three children in the age range of 3-10 years with severe multiple disabilities participated in the study. A single-system ABAB design was used. Participants' behavioral states,…

Background: People with profound and multiple disabilities often display aberrant behaviours (such as stereotypical movements) which can inhibit learning and lead to social stigmatisation. This study was designed to help a man with multiple disabilities increase his object-contact responses and reduce hand stereotypy (in this case, hand/wrist…

Background: This study addresses the question to what extent visual impairment leads to additional disability in adults with intellectual disabilities (ID). Method: In a multi-centre cross-sectional study of 269 adults with mild to profound ID, social and behavioural functioning was assessed with observant-based questionnaires, prior to expert…

This study established a method for obtaining information about behavior states and patterns as they appeared in Individual Education Programs (IEPs). Also investigated was the extent to which behavior states and behavior state pattern language was included in daily planning for students with the most pervasive multiple disabilities. While…

Three groups of visually impaired children--10 with rubella, 7 with retrolental fibroplasia (RLF), and 9 with blindness other than rubella or RLF--were observed for stereotypic behaviors. Ss were observed in four different environmental settings: classroom/instruction; mealtime activity/breakfast, lunch, or supper; physical education/movement…

An observational study is reported in which social interactions and on-task behavior were investigated in a mainstreaming program for 20 severely multihandicapped children. It was concluded that severely multihandicapped students in this program experienced many interactions with nonhandicapped children and that their educational activities were…

Three studies were undertaken to examine ways in which profoundly disabled infants and children interact with the environment. Findings suggested that the Ss were active responders and processors of environmental stimuli and that automated equipment under their control was highly motivating for them. (CL)

This study assessed the validity of idiosyncratic choice-making behaviors of three children with multiple disabilities. Children were given either their "choice" of food or drink or were given the opposite. Direct observations of children's acceptance or refusal revealed the children consistently indicated choices during both conditions.…

Four experiments with six students with multiple profound disabilities examined the function of behavioral stereotypies and sensory modalities maintaining them. Findings are discussed in terms of the sensory and social reinforcers that maintain stereotypy, assessment procedures used to identify reinforcers, and the interpretation of assessment…

This study observed ten students with profound and multiple disabilities, with particular attention paid to social and communicative variables operating in educational settings. Comparisons are made with other published studies of behavior state assessment and socio-communicative processes observed in special education programs. (Contains…

Three experiments were conducted involving five people with profound multiple disabilities, to determine whether variations in alertness affected subsequent responsiveness to training programs. Findings suggest that existing levels of alertness do not indicate how individuals will respond during training and that alertness actually can be…

Mentally retarded emotionally disturbed children (N=31) were compared on the Child Depression Inventory and the Child Behavior Profile with 31 children in a normal school setting. Correlational data showed a strong relationship between the cut-off scores for both measures suggesting that similarities exist between depression in mentally retarded…

This paper summarizes the case histories of four young children with concurrent autistic disorder and Williams syndrome. Williams syndrome comprises a peculiar facial appearance, learning disorder, and often hypercalcemia, mild microcephaly, large blood vessel stenosis, and a specific behavioral phenotype. Literature on Williams syndrome is…

A new approach to behavioral control with individuals having both visual impairments and multiple disabilities stresses the use of positive intervention strategies, bases treatment on functional assessments of challenging responses, and emphasizes broad changes in the lifestyles of individuals. Case examples illustrate applications. (Author/DB)