Three relatively long-term observational studies, involving seven retarded preschool children, each of whom exhibited multiple stereotypes, were conducted to determine the extent to which the type of activity or setting had any effect upon the rates of stereotyped movements. (Author)

The monograph is the second in a series entitled "Studies in Behavior and Rehabilitation" and is scientifically dependent upon the first article. The authors report observations of two case studies and list three major purposes of the analysis: (1) to familiarize individuals interested in rehabilitation with the work Behavior Observation Scheme…

Results suggested that although overcorrection is a valuable technique in reducing stereotyped behavior in profoundly retarded adults, the overcorrection responses (e.g., restitutional acts, positive practice, functional movement training) may not increase in the absence of specific reinforcement contingencies. (DLS)

An 11 year old Blind, Retarded male, was treated for self abusive behavior by creating a feeding response incompatible with it. When head beating had been eliminated at feeding time, additional techniques, involving rewards, were used to extend its elimination beyond the eating situation. (Author)

Three experiments investigated the effects of a treatment package on the self-injurious behavior of three profoundly retarded persons (ages 8-27 years) who appeared to enjoy the physical restraints used to prevent their self-injury. (Author)

Three experiments were conducted with two participants with mental retardation that displayed property destruction and stereotypy. The experiments assessed the function of the responses, determined their relationship, and developed a treatment to reduce property destruction. Response blocking reduced property destruction (and attempts), prevented…

In a descriptive analysis of behavior management research with mentally retarded persons, data from 56 studies within a recent 5-year period is presented in four tables. (CL)

The article suggests that retarded behavior is maintained by certain events in the environment and their relationship to an individual's behavior. Maintenance of these behaviors is attributed to positive reinforcement, avoidance behavior, and contingency schedules. Several examples of the maintenance effects of each of these paradigms are given.…

A study tested whether four students with mental retardation would substitute task-related behaviors for stereotypic behaviors when opportunity for active responding did or did not match level of motoric responding in a free-operant baseline. Students did substitute behaviors, with stereotypic behaviors occurring 1.5-14 times as much in the…

A needs assessment questionnaire was developed that requested information regarding adaptive behavior in handicapped children from 346 practitioners in pupil appraisal. (BD)