The review and synthesis of the literature on self-injurious behavior examines characteristics, causes, and both psychological and behavioral management strategies. Six suggestions for educators are offered. (DB)

To develop guidelines for the identification of behavioral disorders and devise more effective means for working with people classified as having behavioral disorders, a study group reviewed knowledges and experiences of group members, conducted a literature study, and surveyed 91 state vocational rehabilitation agencies with respect to: (1)…

This paper reviews the rationale and behavioral interventions commonly used for teaching compliance to individuals with mental retardation and the role of ethics in the use of such interventions. The paper examines issues in deciding whether compliance is an appropriate objective for an individual and whether interventions designed to achieve…

Two improvement strategies designed to modify children's impulsive tempos were developed and transformed into task exercises. Results indicated that enriching redundancy and enlarging variations in cognitive processes enable the impulsive child to assimilate information and therefore deal more effectively with reality. (Author/PC)

Five experiments with severely retarded noncompliant males made use of behavioral momentum to increase compliance. A series of commands with which the subject was very likely to comply were issued immediately prior to issuing a low-probability command. Results indicated increased compliance and decreased compliance latency and task duration.…

The effective use of parents as behavior change agents in the modification of their children's behavior is discussed. Identified are four parent training steps: (1) parents learn to identify and record specific behaviors: (2) parents learn through consultation and reading how to effect behavior change: (3) parents count behaviors, note behavioral…

Academic and behavior management techniques for school and home use with behavior disordered children are described. Among school management techniques identified is the Personal Intervention Paper, a chart on which the student tracks his/her problem behavior and receives a reward for reduction of occurrence. Home management techniques included…

The article reviewed research on professionals', consumers', and others' judgments of the restrictiveness, social acceptability, and estimated frequency of use of procedures to decrease problem behaviors of disabled persons. Most respondents agreed that more restrictive procedures should be used as a last resort and that less restrictive…

Available from: American Association for the Education of the Severely/Profoundly Handicapped, 1600 West Armory Way, Seattle, Washington 98119.

Three severely mentally retarded adolescents who exhibited repetitive hand movements were assessed during baseline (reinforcement for on-task behavior) and sensory change (rings on fingers of both hands, rings and reinforcement, and faded rings) conditions. Sensory change effectively reduced the target responses for up to four hours. (Author/JDD)

Presents information to facilitate a one- to two-hour training session for teachers, other professionals, and parents on how to use peer tutoring to empower children and youth who exhibit challenging behaviors. Defines peer tutoring and presents what research reveals about best practices. Lays down steps for developing and implementing a peer…

This article presents two case examples to demonstrate how teachers can use functional behavioral assessment (FBA) to design behavior support plans. FBA helps a second grade "class clown" to learn new ways to get attention and a first grade "class lawyer" to learn to stop arguing and stay on task (with the help of an electronic record keeping…

Effects of a packaged teacher-consultant-mediated intervention program (CLASS) for modifying acting-out behavior in the regular classroom were evaluated. The experimental groups significantly increased their proportion of appropriate behavior postintervention and required fewer remedial services and special class placement years later. Training…