Direct observation is often considered the "gold standard" for assessing the function, frequency, and intensity of problem behavior. Currently, the literature investigating the construct validity of direct observation conducted in the clinic setting reveals conflicting results. Previous studies on the construct validity of clinic-based…

Treatments for disruptive behaviors are often guided by parent reports on questionnaires, rather than by multiple methods of assessment. Professional observations and clinic analogs exist to complement questionnaires, but parents can also collect useful behavioral observations to inform and guide treatment. Two parent observation methods of child…

This study evaluated the clinical significance of measuring between session parental adherence on child and parent outcomes for 51 children (age 4 to 8.5 years) with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in a multimodal group training program. Three group treatment conditions: (a) child-only treatment (C1), (c) child and parent training…

We demonstrate the effectiveness of a procedure to increase compliance in young children who are resistant to Time-out (TO). Parents of two boys, 3 and 4 years of age, were unable to enforce TO without resorting to physical guidance and restraint. With deferred TO (DTO), if a child resists TO, caregivers no longer interact with the child or…

The impact of therapist characteristics on maternal compliance and satisfaction was examined with a parent-training program, Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT). Participants were 45 mothers with children between the ages of 24 and 83 months. Each mother was taught components of PCIT using one of three therapist communication styles: (1)…

In the high-probability request sequence (high-p) procedure, a requester presents a rapid sequence of requests a child is known to be likely to comply with, followed by a request to perform a response for which there is a low probability of compliance (low-p request). To extend previous research from institutional and research settings to home…

Preschool children (N=4) from a university-based school psychology clinic were studied to assess whether increases in compliance could be obtained in clinical settings by using only positive procedures such as effective instruction delivery and time-in. Both procedures alone achieved increases in compliance over baseline levels, and additional…

Sixteen published empirical studies are reviewed in which high-probability request sentencing was used to increase compliance to requests in children 8 years of age and younger. Results across the studies show effectiveness of the technique. A theoretical framework, methodological adequacies, utility, and implications for research are addressed.…

Compares compliance rates to two sets of commands derived from research in child noncompliance: easy motor commands and difficult motor commands. Results show a clear difference in the natural rates of compliance to different types of one-step commands, suggesting that even subtle differences in commands affect response rates. (LKS)

Evaluates whether time-in alone (physical touch and verbal praise) versus the combined use of time-in and time-out was a more effective treatment for noncompliance with three developmentally disabled children. Results show that although time-in alone resulted in increased compliance, the time-in/time-out combined phase resulted in further…

In the high-probability request sequence (high-p) procedure, a requester presents a rapid sequence of requests a child is known to be likely to comply with, followed by a request to perform a response for which there is a low probability of compliance (low-p request). To extend previous research from institutional and research settings to home…

The purpose of this investigation was to evaluate a methodology for analyzing the interactive effects of two different antecedent variables on child noncompliance in an outpatient clinic. Phase 1 of this study consisted of antecedent manipulations to identify situations that occasioned problematic behaviors (i.e., presence or absence of the…

Bedtime struggles are some of the most common childhood behavior problems. These disruptions are associated with children's daytime misbehavior, impaired social functioning, poorer school performance, and even an increased risk of child abuse. These problems also have a number of negative consequences for members of the child's family. Of the…

Targeted the frequent noncompliant behaviors and negative parent-child interactions each weekday morning in a 12-year-old boy with developmental disabilities and multiple handicaps. "Beat-the-Buzzer" involved setting time limits for the child to get ready for school in the morning and decreasing maternal attention. Data indicated a substantial…

Describes treatment containing positive components of effective instruction delivery (EID) and time-in (TI) for achieving acceptable levels of child compliance in clinic and home settings. Mothers were able to master components of both EID and TI in the clinic. Skill mastery increased at home for EID but varied for TI. Discusses benefits of…