This paper reviews research on disturbances of children with developmental delays and handicaps in responding to complex stimuli, suggesting that such disturbances may deleteriously influence behavioral/neurophysiological development. Intervention programs for teaching children with autism a generalized set to use in responding to complex…

It is assumed here that the most effective way of reducing the rate of deviant child behavior is to alter the reinforcing contingencies supplied by the social agents who live with the child. The immediate focus for the intervention program is upon the social environment in which the child lives, because it is the parents, siblings, peers, and…

This paper is a systematic attempt to apply the principles and techniques of behavior modification to process and outcome in group therapy. The framework is derived from learning theory, and is aimed at providing a conceptual model for the understanding and practice of group therapy in which symptom redress is the primary goal. A number of…

This article proposes that intuitive behaviors may be used to detect and resolve potential conflict in mother-infant relationships. Previewing, in which the caregiver introduces the infant to the physical sensations and interpersonal meaning of a new developmental skill, is suggested as a way of moving the mother-infant relationship in the…

The Nurse-Parent Training Project, developed in cooperation with Children's Hospital of Buffalo (New York), was designed to provide developmental supportive care for premature infants, and to reduce stress while optimizing neurobehavioral development. A program was conducted to train nurses working in neonatal intensive care nurseries, to enable…

This paper presents a model workshop focused on sex-typed behavior and developmental psychology, which is designed to examine the major theories based on biology, socialization or a complex developmental process. The materials concentrate on the three main theoretical approaches underlying the development of sex-role behaviors, i.e.,…

The report focuses on the objectives of the Preschool Instruction for the Exceptional (PIE) program, an early intervention program designed to help handicapped children function more effectively and help parents understand their child's special needs. It is explained that the primary goal of PIE is to have each child enter the mainstream of…

Socialization difficulties encountered by a particular learning disabled adolescent may be related to the type of underlying learning disability. Two subtypes of learning disability are discussed (language disorders and disturbed visual spatial functions) along with implications for problems in development of social skills and for effective…

The purpose of this paper is to explore the role of the preschool teacher in dealing effectively with aggression in the classroom setting. First, assertiveness, aggression and hostility are differentiated and theories of aggression are reviewed. Subsequently, social, home, family, and temperamental factors influencing aggressive behavior of…

An intervention study with mothers and infants is discussed. The project staff consisted of two home visitors, a materials specialist, an infant examiner, and a project coordinator. This study assessed the effectiveness of the program for mothers and infants. Infant abilities and psychological development were tested and homes were rated. One home…

Three mothers of handicapped children were taught to imitate their child's behavior; subsequently the number of mands displayed by the mothers during play sessions were measured. Results showed increases in the percentage of sample intervals during which mothers imitated their children and showed that, as imitations increased, mands decreased.…

Literature is reviewed on the topic of blindisms and their possible causes. Studies indicate that the lack of blindisms among Black African blind children is related to the close mother-child contact and the interaction among the extended family unit. Strategies for preventing blindisms are offered. (Author/JDD)

Children who may appear to have Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder may actually be "activity hyper" because they are asked to attend to tasks or activities inappropriate for their age or circumstances. Such preschoolers exhibit overactivity or distractibility due to a number of ecological variables such as a problem with classroom…

This book represents the proceedings of the Conference on Advancing Research on Developmental Plasticity: Integrating Behavioral Science and the Neuroscience of Mental Health. The conference featured scientific presentations from many leading scientists in behavioral sciences, neuroscience and psychiatry, as well as a poster session for newer…

This paper reviews the developing merger of behavior analytic and other environmental approaches to child behavior development, and identifies critical issues confronting this area of research and intervention, including a profusion of terms, a need for more precise descriptive and experimental analyses, and conceptual integration of findings of…