In this investigation, 3 adults who met criteria for marijuana dependence were treated using an abbreviated version of acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT). The treatment was delivered in eight weekly 90-min individual sessions. The effects of the intervention were assessed using a nonconcurrent multiple baseline across participants design.…

Three studies compared the amount of social avoidance behavior by mentally retarded autistic children (N=10 and ages 4-13 years) during either appropriate child-preferred activities or adult determined activities. Results revealed a negative correlation between child-preferred behaviors and social avoidance behaviors. (Author/DB)

When three socially withdrawn kindergarteners were placed in the classroom manager's role they substantially increased the frequency of positive social initiations during free-play, had more positive and fewer negative social bids from peers, were rated more favorably by classmates, and were selected more frequently as best friends by peers.…

Findings of the three experiments indicated that normal children can successfully teach social responses (i.e., delayed imitation, cooperative play, and verbalization of positive comments) to withdrawn mentally retarded peers (8 to 13 years old). Effects generalized across stimulus and response conditions, while the levels of responding were…

Among the results, it was suggested that teacher ranking of students' verbal interaction frequencies was the best means of screening. (Author/DLS)

High-probability requests were used to increase responsiveness to low-probability requests to initiate social interactions in three young boys with severe disabilities who were severely socially withdrawn. Increases were also found in unprompted social initiations and generalizations to a nontraining setting. Maintenance after training was also…

A structured coaching strategy was effectively used with three day-care teachers, resulting in (1) substantial increases in delivery of behavioral support of social interactions of children with developmental disabilities; and (2) marked increases in positive interactions of socially withdrawn children. Long-term maintenance effects were also…

This study examined the effects of a cross-age peer-tutoring program on the social skills of two sixth-grade and two socially rejected and isolated kindergarten boys. Peer tutoring consisted of the older boys conducting social-skills training with their younger tutees. The frequency of positive social interactions increased for all four boys, with…

This study demonstrated that five withdrawn adults living in a residential center for psychotic and mentally handicapped persons could serve as peer therapists to increase the social interaction of other withdrawn residents. Positive results were maintained during a four-month follow-up condition. (Author/DB)