A prompt fading method was employed to teach an eight-year-old student with severe behavior disorders the self-paced use of a functional behavior (requesting rather than grabbing food items). Initial pairing of prompts and natural cues was followed by a mix of prompted and probe (unprompted) trials. (Author/JW)

Studies addressing the efficacy of specific procedures for training teachers in behavior modification are reviewed. Didactic training is an ineffective method when used alone but may be a necessary component when used with other methods. Support was found for using role playing alone and combined with modeling, feedback, and reinforcement.…

A self-evaluation program was implemented at home with a disruptive boy (five years, 11 months old). The self-evaluation procedures typically resulted in increased compliant behavior and decreased inappropriate verbal behavior, although the effects generally weakened with time. (Author/SEW)

Seventeen children ranging in age from 9 to 15 years and from grades four and eight in five classes for students with emotional conflicts were placed on a video game reward system. The observation of enhanced classroom decorum and individual performance of students suggest the effectiveness of this reward in modifying behavior. (Author/PN)

A study showed that mentally retarded children can be taught rather easily to verbalize instructions, suggesting that past difficulty in such training was due more to inadequate procedures than to inherent difficulties related to children's ability to self-instruct. Correspondence between the children's verbal and nonverbal behavior was also…

Results indicate equivalent levels of patient performance when contingent reinforcement in a residential token economy program was controlled by either patient peer groups or staff. Patients in a peer-managed program showed positive ward behavior, reductions in psychosocial problems, and increase in potential for adjusting to community life.…

Visual feedback and ratio scheduling of pay were utilized to train the relationship between work and piece rate for five severely mentally retarded workers. Results show a statistically significant gain in production during training, and a larger gain during the second baseline period when the visual feedback was removed and clients were paid on…

A six-year old with developmental delays who exhibited aggression when asked to pick up his toys was studied to determine the effects of interventions. Treatment included praise, a break, and access to the toys contingent on compliance. Results showed aggression decreased only with social interaction during the break. (Author/CR)

Following inconclusive functional analyses of problem behaviors in 3 children (ages 3-4) with severe disabilities, interventions based on environmental enrichment were implemented. For all subjects, environmental enrichment decreased aberrant behavior if preferred stimuli were used. Explicit reinforcement of appropriate play behavior was required…

Antisocial behavior patterns and the assessment and management of aggressive and violent behavior in the schools are discussed. Behavioral analysis of aggression should identify its antecedents and consequences to provide the basis for intervention. Intervention strategies include behavior enhancement contingencies, behavior reduction…

This study investigated the relationship between self-restraint (e.g., entanglement of limbs in clothing or furniture) and self-injurious behavior (SIB) using functional analysis with five males with severe mental retardation. Results suggested that self-restraint, like SIB, may be maintained by idiosyncratic contingencies. (Author/DB)

This study found that, in a task context, differential reinforcement of other behavior (DRO) effectively reduced problem behavior and increased task performance of 2 adolescents with severe disabilities (ages 15 and 19), whereas a time-out procedure was ineffective. In a leisure context, time-out was effective while DRO was ineffective.…

Following an initial school inservice workshop on functional assessment and differential reinforcement procedures with five children having severe behavior problems, on-site technical assistance was provided to local school personnel working in transdisciplinary teams. Functional analysis was effective in identifying individual maintaining…

The effects of wrist weights on the self-injurious and adaptive behaviors of a six-year-old boy with profound mental retardation were evaluated. Application of wrist weights reduced self-injurious behavior by 92 percent and was associated with higher increases or stable levels of multiple novel and preexisting adaptive behaviors. (Author/CR)

Contrasts the use of behavioral and developmental theories to address a child's aggression. Presents concerns about the use of social reinforcers, activity reinforcers, and tangible reinforcers. Asserts that behavioral techniques that shape children's surface behaviors without placing the behaviors within a developmental context may interfere with…