This paper reviews the literature on functional assessment in the behavioral treatment of aggression in persons with mental retardation or developmental delays. Increased use of functional assessment and skill training is noted but no concomitant decrease in the use of intrusive procedures. (Author/DB)

Evaluation of a training procedure to improve staff skills in the preventative and reactive management of severely challenging behaviors in a small residential treatment unit found reduced (though not statistically significant) behavioral incidents, use of major reactive strategies (restraint and emergency medication), and staff and resident…

Evaluation of a 16-session group intervention for reducing inappropriately expressed anger (as aggression) in 25 individuals with intellectual disabilities found a reduction in expressed anger and measured levels of depression. Reductions in expressed anger were maintained at 6 and 12 months follow-up, although scores on the depression scale…

A study analyzed reading level and readability of 20 behavior treatment plans developed by certified behavior analysts. Those with higher readability levels had somewhat better treatment outcomes. A second study involving four individuals found that manipulations of reading grade level and readability of behavior treatment plans greatly enhanced…