A study of a man (age 19) with severe developmental disabilities evaluated the effects of implementing extinction for some problem behaviors of a functional response class, with and without reinforcement of an alternative communication response. Results found that using extinction and functional communication training reduced all topographies of…

The effects of immediate feedback provided through a wireless headphone FM transmission system were compared to the effects of delayed feedback on inappropriate verbalizations of a 10-year-old with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Results indicate that inappropriate verbalizations decreased during both conditions, although the decrease…

The study compared the effectiveness of (1) reinforcement of other behavior, (2) verbal reprimands, and (3) movement suppression time-out in eliminating self injury and aggressive behaviors in two severely mentally retarded adult males. Improvements were only apparent when movement suppression was paired with either or both of the other…

An intellectually handicapped man was studied in a workshop where he was employed to "detip" ear tags. Productive behavior was reinforced on either a variable ratio (VR) schedule or a variable duration (VD) schedule. Results indicated lower time on task and higher detipping rates under the VR schedule. (Author/PB)

A modified functional analysis was used to assess the behavioral function of a profoundly retarded man's self-injurious behavior (SIB). Differential reinforcement of alternative behavior effectively reduced SIB and related behavior problems, while compliance of a self-care acquisition task increased markedly. (Author/DB)

The severe self-injurious behavior of a woman with profound mental retardation was treated with 3.5 milliamps of shock combined with reinforcement and extinction techniques, with minimal results. Treatment with the Hot Shot Power Mite, which delivers 18.5 milliamps, combined with reinforcement for compliance and extinction of self-injurious escape…

A study conducted reinforcer assessments for three boys (ages 7-9) with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder who alternately received either a placebo or methylphenidate. Methylphenidate altered the relative reinforcing effectiveness of various stimuli that are often used in classroom-based behavioral treatment programs, particularly coupons…

Shows how moving away from the token economy and contingency-contracting concepts of behavior management in the classroom is an effective way to teach self management skills to students with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder. Supplies detailed instructions for implementing a successful self-management program. (MKA)

Functional analysis of destructive behavior of a four-year-old boy with autism and oppositional defiant disorder was able to delineate the specific form of verbal attention that was responsible for behavioral maintenance. Treatment based on the analysis reduced the behavior to near-zero levels. (DB)

A study evaluated teaching a technique for self-control to three adults with developmental disabilities. Concurrent fixed-duration/progressive-duration reinforcement schedules were introduced in which both smaller and larger reinforcers were available immediately. When progressively increasing delays were introduced for the larger reinforcer,…

This study evaluated the effects of choice making within functional communication training (FCT) to increase the task engagement of two participants with inappropriate behaviour. Pretreatment functional analyses indicated that both participants' inappropriate behaviour was maintained by escape. For one of the participants, inappropriate behaviour…

This paper reviews the recent parent training research in which parents are taught to use principles of operant learning as well as general principles of positive verbal discourse. While this combination of interventions has been shown to have greater impact than the operant guidelines used alone, a rationale for the discourse strategy is not…

We attempted to determine the effects of instructions, goal setting, and reinforcement, in isolation and combination, on the letter naming proficiency of 2 underperforming Kindergarten students. During a no-intervention baseline, both students' accuracy was low or declining. Instructions alone produced increases over baseline responding, but the…

A major emphasis in Louisiana school psychologists' jobs involves interventions with, and evaluations of, children classified as behavior disordered, learning disabled, and mildly mentally handicapped, as well as by regular education students. In assessment, both traditional and behavioral instruments are employed. In intervention, the emphasis is…

The study investigated the effects of the overcorrection procedure of functional movement training (in which praise and physical contact are offered for correct positions) on establishing and maintaining the visual attending of a multihandicapped, profoundly retarded learner (20 years old) in a public school program. The effectiveness of positive…