The current data-based review encompasses 30 years of research involving parental use of time-out (TO). Although extensively researched for decades, parental usage of TO continues to vary widely across a number of procedural variables. As such, the current review provides descriptive data for 40 articles published between 1977 and 2007 along both…

The current study examines the role of callous/unemotional (CU) traits in response to treatment among children with conduct problems (CP) and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Fifty-four children with CP/ADHD and 16 controls (age = 9.48, SD = 1.58) took part in a summer treatment and research program. Simple correlations showed that…

The present study evaluates the effectiveness of two time-out (TO) procedures in reducing escape-maintained noncompliance of 4 children. Noncompliant behavioral function was established via a functional assessment (FA), including indirect and direct descriptive procedures and brief confirmatory experimental analyses. Following FA, parents were…

Examines effectiveness of standardized time-out (TO) procedures and time-out procedures modified to incorporate the contingent delay when children continue to misbehave during their punishment. Both regular and modified TO procedures resulted in significant reduction in noncompliant episodes. Generalization of study's results was hindered by…

Describes an approach to behavior modification employing gradual stages and beginning with the enhancement of positive behavior. Major emphasis is placed on accelerating prosocial behavior rather than decelerating antisocial behavior. (CM)

Time-out is an effective child deceleration technique. The Time-Out Grid is a simple heuristic tool illustrating the fundamental feature of an effective time-out intervention and subsequently guides those involved in the problem analysis and program evaluation phases of consultation. Provides specific procedural recommendations for classroom…

This study assessed the efficacy of using obsessions as reinforcers contingent upon nonoccurrence of inappropriate behaviors in four children (ages five and six) with autism. The most effective treatment was providing the obsession plus mild reductive procedures (such as time out). Use of obsessions alone and use of food reinforcers with mild…

A review of research was undertaken to clarify the use of time out as a behavior management method in the schools. "Time out," the concept of separating children from their peers, is applied in familial, day care, and school settings to manage negative behaviors. Wide variations in the observed application of time out in regular and…

Evaluates the effectiveness of a peer intervention for disruptive behavior which was based on the results of a classroom-based functional analysis. Results indicate that peer attention, rather than teacher attention or escape/timeout, was associated with the most disruptive classroom behavior, suggesting that peer attention can reduce such…

Describes a series of experiments designed to identify why the classroom use of timeouts sometimes failed. Results indicate that both treatment integrity and the function of student behavior problems were related to treatment success and failure. Discusses implications for the function of student behavior problems, treatment selection, and other…

Paradoxical strategies appear to provide a change in the dynamics of the teacher-child relationship and are thus a more systemic way of viewing problem behavior than time-out procedures. Three case studies are presented in which the paradoxical strategies have varying degrees of success. (Author/ABB)

The present study developed a timeout procedure that did not require removal of the misbehaver from the learning environment and applied the procedure to the disruptive behaviors of five severely retarded children (8 to 18 years old). (Author/SBH)

This case study reports use of ignoring, positive reinforcement, passive restraint, and time-out in treatment of a 10-year-old girl with profound retardation and disruptive behaviors in home and classroom. Time-out was the most effective intervention with all three target behaviors, with improved behaviors maintained for at least six months.…

A case study illustrates how the ongoing data-based monitoring of timeout use by parents enhanced the treatment of an 8-year-old boy, referred because of noncompliance in the home. Maintaining the timeout record enabled rapid refinements in the timeout procedure by providing a feedback mechanism to the therapist, identification of the need for…

Behavior modification is an evidence-based treatment for children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Time-out from positive reinforcement is one behavior-modification procedure commonly recommended to manage disruptive or noncompliant behavior. This investigation examined the effects of time-out on children's behavior within the…