We discuss the problem of autism-specific special education programs representing themselves as Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) programs when the only ABA intervention employed is Discrete Trial Teaching (DTT), and often for limited portions of the school day. Although DTT has many advantages to recommend its use, it is not well suited to teach…

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of a behavioral psychosocial treatment integrated across home and school (Child Life and Attention Skills Program) with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) predominantly inattentive type (ADHD-I). Method: Sixty-nine children ages 7 to 11 years were randomized to the Child Life and Attention Skills…

As positive behavior support (PBS) interventions have received increased attention as an effective means to address problem behaviors of individuals with disabilities in family contexts, partnerships with families are crucial for the application of PBS interventions with families at home. Understanding family perspectives on problem behaviors and…

This review evaluates research on the treatment of challenging behavior in school settings for students with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Electronic database searches were carried out to identify studies published between 1995 and 2005. Twenty-six studies were identified. A variety of procedures were implemented in these studies to decrease…

The financial implications of the increased prevalence of autism, though rarely discussed, will be extremely important to society. We compared the costs associated with 18 years of special education to the costs associated with the implementation of an average of 3 years of Discrete Trial Training as an Early Intensive Behavioral Intervention…

Young children with autism have deficits in initiating and responding to joint attention bids. This study was designed to examine a parent-implemented intervention targeting joint attention responding in children with autism. Parents were trained to increase their joint attention bids using behavior analytic techniques to facilitate appropriate…

In this study we evaluated the effectiveness of telephone crisis services/hotlines, examining proximal outcomes as measured by changes in callers' suicide state from the beginning to the end of their calls to eight centers in the U.S. and again within 3 weeks of their calls. Between March 2003 and July 2004, 1,085 suicide callers were assessed…

The project was designed to develop, implement, and evaluate an effective management system to modify and reduce inappropriate behaviors exhibited by preschool handicapped children. The writer (1) provided in-service training to school personnel to increase their expertise and skills in changing behavior, (2) encouraged parent education and…

Literature on treatment approaches used with autistic children was reviewed and the effects of two treatment approaches, psychotherapy and behavior therapy, on three autistic children (10 to 15 years old) were investigated. Data from the literature was considered in light of the following questions: What are the aims or goals in treating autistic…

The synthesis of 35 single-subject nonaversive treatments of classroom behavior problems indicated that reinforcement and feedback are highly effective as a remedy across a variety of behaviors, settings, and administrative arrangements. (Author/DB)

Five adolescents with moderate to severe mental retardation, including one with hearing impairments and blindness, were taught 12 associated work skills through an approach featuring reinforcement for desirable behavior and negative consequences and cueing for undesirable behavior. (CL)

Describes the Elderly Support Project designed to teach families better home care of the mentally and physically impaired elderly. Findings supported the procedures as valuable for promoting continuing home care, better mental status, and improved behavior of elderly clients by offering families alternative positive responses. (Author/JAC)

Compares behavioral with interactional couples group therapy for male alcoholics (N=36). Behavioral methods included rehearsal and weekly homework assignments, such as contracting, shared recreation, caring behaviors, communication skills, and negotiation. Both methods were effective, but preliminary results showed communication skills training…

The present study examined the effectiveness of a multimodal intervention for young children with ADHD. Fifty families were randomly assigned to three treatment conditions: (1) child group training only (N=18); (2) child and parent group training only (N=14); and (3) child and parent group training and parent/teacher consultation (N=18). Child,…

Evaluated was the effectiveness of four treatment procedures in reducing self-injurious behaviors (handbiting and headstriking) of 22 nonverbal severely mentally retarded children, approximately 10 years old. Among results were that contingent restraint was more effective in reducing behavior below baseline levels than positive reinforcement,…