Three functional assessments of a client with self-injurious behavior (SIB), indicated that SIB was sensitive to attention as reinforcement and was much higher when the client was in his wheelchair. Levels of SIB remained higher when the client was in his wheelchair, even when consequences for SIB were identical. (Author/CR)

This article reviews general classes of variables which help to maintain aberrant behavior including attention seeking, sensory and perceptual consequences, and access to materials or activities. Suggestions for a methodology providing a comprehensive functional analysis are offered which include descriptive analysis, hypothesis forming,…

The Stereotypy Analysis, a means of analyzing environmental variables associated with differential rates of stereotypic behavior, was conducted with five adults with developmental disabilities. Results indicate the analysis was able to detect environmental events associated with stereotypic responding for three subjects and was useful in…

This literature review on antecedents, behaviors, and consequences in the noncompliant behavior of people with mental retardation found that noncompliance is more likely when instructions are vague or task demands are too difficult and that noncompliance responds well to programs utilizing combinations of social and tangible rewards. (Author/JDD)

A case study of a 25-year-old man with moderate mental retardation who engaged in self-injurious behavior included a functional analysis to determine the effects of the presence and absence of respite care. Results demonstrated a relationship between the presence of self-injury and the occurrence of respite care the previous evening. Altering the…

Three severely mentally retarded adolescents who exhibited repetitive hand movements were assessed during baseline (reinforcement for on-task behavior) and sensory change (rings on fingers of both hands, rings and reinforcement, and faded rings) conditions. Sensory change effectively reduced the target responses for up to four hours. (Author/JDD)

This case study focused on an adult with severe disabilities and multiple problem behaviors fitting a pattern of behavioral escalation. Functional assessment indicated that use of rule statements by the teacher was related to occurrence and escalation of problem behaviors. Elimination of rule statements was an effective instructional intervention…

A study administered Naltrexone (NLTX) to two adult females with profound mental retardation who engaged in self-injurious behavior (SIB). For one participant, NLTX produced slight reductions in SIB across baseline conditions. The second participant's results showed NLTX reduced head-slapping during demand sessions but had no apparent effect on…

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…

This study of three individuals (ages 12-14) with profound mental retardation found that visual screening was more effective than thioridazine in reducing stereotypy and increasing social behavior. Thioridazine produced modest stereotypy reductions and minor social behavior increases, with a higher dose slightly more effective than a lower dose…

Longitudinal follow-ups of the cessation of long-term Naltrexone administration were conducted with a women with profound mental retardation who had previously displayed dramatic decreases in self-injurious behavior (SIB). After two and four years post-Naltrexone therapy, the subject exhibited near-zero rates of SIB despite changes in staff and in…

This study analyzed and compared the behavioral procedure standards of 39 state departments of special education and 41 state departments of developmental disabilities/mental retardation. Results are discussed in terms of systematic monitoring of procedures, staff training, procedures to increase behavior, prohibiting/restricting procedure use,…

This study examined the effects of introducing flexion into a straight-arm splint, on self-injurious behavior (SIB), self-restraint, adaptive behavior, and behavioral correlates of affect for three individuals with severe mental retardation. For two individuals, SIB was reduced to zero, while overall level of restriction was also significantly…

The effects of basketball training on the maladaptive behaviors of 19 children (ages 10-14) with mental retardation were investigated. Results indicated the children showed a reduction in their level of maladaptive behavior at home and in school. This reduction was maintained 45 days later in a follow-up assessment. (Author/CR)

A function-based behavioral treatment package was developed for an 18-year-old male with mild mental retardation in a specialized inpatient unit for treatment of severe destructive behaviors associated with school refusal behavior. Treatment goals were achieved relatively quickly and follow-up data indicated treatment effects were durable.…