University women (N=277) completed questionnaires providing retrospective reports of childhood abuse. History of psychological abuse was uniquely associated with low self-esteem, physical abuse was linked to aggression toward others, sexual abuse was related to maladaptive sexual behavior, and physical and emotional abuse together resulted in…

Four individuals (ages 5-21) with severe mental retardation and autism were administered Naltrexone. Results indicated a reduction in such symptoms as hyperactivity, aggressiveness, self-injurious behavior, stereotyped behaviors; and promotion of positive social behaviors. Intermittent administration at low doses seemed more beneficial than more…

Describes experience working with a second-grade Native American male identified as a bully. Author used classroom and individual interventions and communicated with the child's parents, principal, teacher, and other school personnel. Suggests that problem children need courageous advocacy to succeed. (MKA)

A treatment package consisting of differential reinforcement of other behavior (DRO), token fines, and prompted relaxation was used to reduce the agitated-disruptive behavior of a young adult with autism and mental retardation living in a community group home. DRO procedures were partially implemented by a peer with Down syndrome. Baseline rates…

Reviews the research on the efficacy of prevention and intervention programs for aggressive behavior among preschoolers who are otherwise typically developing. Summarizes some key characteristics of 17 studies: (1) model/treatment focus; (2) target sample; (3) design; (4) reliability; (5) treatment description; (6) duration and follow-up; and (7)…

Examines the prevention of antisocial behavior in children. It considers which children are at risk for behavior disorders, risk factors and their effects, pressures on schools, the value of early intervention, types of interventions (primary, secondary, and tertiary), and a secondary prevention program for kindergarten students, First Steps to…

The food refusal of a 6-year-old girl with autism and destructive behavior was treated using stimulus fading, reinforcement, and escape extinction. Intake increased, and compliance with prompting procedures remained relatively stable despite the increased consumption requirement. (Author/CR)

Presents information on 24 and 34 months of successful treatment with Risperidone of a young woman and young man with autism and profound mental retardation. Treatment with Risperidone resulted in positive changes for aggressive, self-injurious, and anti-social behavior. After treatment, subjects were able to participate in social activities. (CR)

Examines likely changes in the roles and responsibilities of public school personnel from the implementation of disciplinary provisions of the 1997 Amendments to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. Also addresses implementing functional behavioral assessments and behavioral intervention plans, and provides guidelines for implementing…

Describes a Canadian principal's efforts to deal with a disruptive child suffering from attention-deficit disorder. Staff focused on creating a positive school experience for Tommy after medication failed to mitigate his outbursts. Next fall, there will be an "acting out" room and additional human resources. (MLH)

Elementary classroom teachers rated the withdrawn and social behaviors of 41 children with language impairments (LI) and 41 typically developing peers using the Teacher Behavioral Rating Scale. Teachers rated children with LI as more reticent than typically developing children, and boys with LI as displaying more solitary-active withdrawal…

This paper discusses psychometric aspects of the functional analysis model in planned intervention with mainstreamed students having emotional/behavioral disorders. Discussion focuses on reliability and validity of clinical analysis of behavior and functional and structural analysis in the classroom. (DB)

The efficacy of guided compliance and high-probability instructional sequences was compared with two young children with disabilities and noncompliant behavior. Levels of compliance were higher under guided compliance than under high-probability instructional sequences. Parents were able to learn to implement treatments accurately and reported…

A study used job-trainer logs and two rating scales to investigate social problems encountered by 43 supported employees with mental retardation. Logs indicated 58% experienced one or more incidents of interpersonal difficulty during their employment tenure and 40% of the problems could be described as sexuality-related. (Author/CR)

Peer-assessed problem behavior was examined in relation to peer-group membership and social-network centrality in 59 fourth-, fifth-, and sixth-grade classes. Most students with high peer-assessed problem behavior were students without disabilities, but students with disabilities were over represented at the highest levels of problem behavior.…