Reports on the prevalence of behavior disorders in a sample of residents (N=360) in adult day health care programs. Findings indicate relatively high rates of behavior disorders. Most prevalent were the affective disorders (seeking reassurance, depression, crying) and verbal-vocal agitation. Differences between formal and informal caregivers'…

Finds significant relationships between levels of teaching assistant dress and student cognitive learning, student affective learning, and ratings of instruction. Finds significant negative relationship between casual instructor attire and student likelihood of misbehavior, with misbehaviors less likely for teaching assistants with high…

This study examined three maladaptive behaviors, self-injurious behavior (SIB), stereotypies, and aggression in 36 adults with either autism, pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS), and mental retardation. Findings indicated that, for all three diagnostic categories, aggression was primarily maintained for attentional…

A study involving 26 toddlers used an observational procedure, the Box Task, to elicit non-self-regulatory behavior. Both mothers' and fathers' interaction was found to be related to children's behavior. For mothers, synchrony of interaction most strongly predicted internalizing behavior, whereas for fathers, focus on control and direction style…

Assessed long-term consequences of 1,253 early adolescents' orientation toward peers for adjustment during high school. Found that adolescents willing to sacrifice their talents, school performance, and parents' rules engaged in greater problem behaviors and evidenced lower academic achievement than other high school students. Tendencies to seek…

Examined the effect of Greek kindergarten teachers' experience on their perceptions of the acceptability and frequency of use of intervention strategies with children having mild learning and behavior problems. Found that specialist consultation, positive intervention, and negative intervention influenced both acceptability and usage of these…

Examines the role and effects of negative responses and uncooperative behavior in young children. Describes four basic types of uncooperative responses. Offers eight strategies for managing inappropriate responses before they become barriers to learning and development, as well as suggestions for teacher monitoring of their own attitudes. (SD)

An epidemiological survey revealed a 1-year period prevalence rate of 1.5 juvenile sexual offenders per 1000 males (ages 12-17) within Oxfordshire (England), and .85 per 1000 of all youth in that age group. The majority of sexually abusive youth were male, with a family history of neglect, physical abuse, and/or sexual abuse. Behavioral and…

Describes a program for the prevention of conduct problems among preschool-age sons of alcoholic fathers. Families (n=42) participated in a 10-month intervention involving parent training and marital problem solving. Significant changes in child behaviors were observed only within the group of families who completed the program and in which…

This study, with an 11-year-old male with severe mental retardation, investigated the effectiveness of selectively implementing punishment for only the most severe topographies of aggression and property destruction, whereas less extreme behaviors were ignored. Results indicated that severe behaviors were reduced to near-zero levels only when both…

This article provides a general description of the features and steps of the functional behavioral assessment (FBA) process. It is organized around frequently asked questions and provides information on who conducts an FBA, when an FBA should be done, the components of an FBA, and outcomes of an FBA. (Contains references.) (CR)

A first-year teacher recounts her action research project to address the misbehaviors occurring in her third-grade classroom. She reports on identification of four target behaviors and implementation of research-based intervention techniques such as eye contact, physical proximity, and "withitness," (constant awareness of the classroom). Analysis…

Investigated models relating coping efficacy, coping efforts, and psychological problems of children of divorce. Structural equation model supported coping efficacy as mediating between active coping, avoiding coping, and psychological problems. Prospective longitudinal model supported coping efficacy as mediating between active coping and…

Explored the relationship of family sociocultural resources to adjustment among low-income African American children. Parent surveys examined sociodemographic variables, child behavior, and parent religiosity. Results indicated that children of regular church attenders had fewer behavior problems than those who attended less frequently. The use of…

This commentary discusses study results that indicate the nonselective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SRI) clomipramine is more efficacious than the relatively selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor desipramine and placebo in treating repetitive or ritualized behaviors in children with autism. The need for concurrent genetic and biochemical…