Frequency of rule violations was tabulated for two mildly mentally retarded and two learning disabled males (ages 9-11). All four received social skills training, and two additionally received contingency management intervention. Post-intervention data on rule violations and teacher approval ratings for observed social skills yielded mixed…

The study compared the relative effectiveness of different procedures (two potentially positive and two potentially negative reinforcing procedures) for decreasing response durations in three severely retarded 14- to 20-year-old women who were severely disruptive and noncompliant. (Author)

A case study is presented of a seven-year-old girl with severe to profound mental retardation who exhibited excessive handmouthing. Contingent sensory reinforcement was successfully used to reduce her handmouthing to substantially lower levels. (Author/JDD)

This study evaluated effects of noncontingent and contingent protective equipment as treatment for self-injurious hand mouthing by two women with profound mental retardation. Behavior change appeared to be effected in both conditions. Results suggest either a punishment or a timeout interpretation, rather than an extinction interpretation, for the…

The author found it very satisfying to reread "Toward a technology of 'nonaversive' behavioral support," written in 1990 by Rob Horner and seven of his colleagues. Their predictions of the critical themes for advancing positive behavior support (PBS) ring true. Fifteen years have passed since the publication of this article, and much has happened…

Investigated with three secondary school students who were unable to complete class assignments because of motivational and attitudinal problems was the effect of teacher-written praise notes and parental support on academic performance. Results of the intervention and communication between parent, teacher, and student indicated academic gains…

Examples of three behaviorally disordered students are used to describe the level system (in which the student moves from level 1, with much external control, to level 6, which is self management) at the Greene County Learning Center (Xenia, OH). The six guidelines for the center are outlined and the components of the level system are listed as…

Results of a study of five subjects (ages 7-9) in a multicategorical resource room employing a token economy indicated that the addition of a daily review of classroom rules resulted in an overall time-on-task improvement of 12% and a 50% reduction of instances of disruptive "talkout." (Author/JW)

In contingency contracting, the student contracts to do something he wants to do contingent upon the successful completion of what the teacher wants him to do. (Author)

A self-evaluation program was implemented at home with a disruptive boy (five years, 11 months old). The self-evaluation procedures typically resulted in increased compliant behavior and decreased inappropriate verbal behavior, although the effects generally weakened with time. (Author/SEW)

Observation of classroom coping behaviors of 1,066 K-12 students and of several hundred effective public school teachers provides discipline strategies for classroom management. Teachers apply one of seven treatment schedules after identifying a student's coping behavior. Tables show eight coping styles and abbreviated treatment schedules. (PB)

Describes behavioral procedures used with adolescent students which involved manipulating type and delay of reinforcement, teaching desirable behaviors, and training in several skills. Implemented procedures through an independent group-oriented contingency system. These students performed significantly better on grades, school attendance, and…

To evaluate a parent training program for parents of children (4-12 years old) with behavior problems based on behavior modification principles, treatment termination outcome data were obtained for 22 families, and follow-up data were collected on 14 of these families 3 and 8 months after treatment. (Author)

This article describes interventions available for remediating the social and personal problems of students with learning disabilities. Problems are categorized as environmental conflicts or personal disturbances. Interventions described include contingency management, cognitive-behavioral interventions, social skills training, stimulant…