To identify the most potent reinforcers for 10 young children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, the relative treatment utility of a verbal forced-choice questionnaire, child nomination, and direct observation was evaluated. Results demonstrated that all three methods were more likely to disagree than agree and that a forced-choice…

Treatment of behavioral problems of 3 girls (ages 31-37 months) with Rett's disorder is discussed. Behavioral treatment using operant conditioning principles did little to alter the course of the disorder for these individuals. The one consistent improvement for the girls was a decrease in tantrums. (SW)

This paper describes a dentist-implemented intervention in which brief escape from dental treatment (contingent on brief periods of cooperative behavior) was provided to manage disruptive child behavior during restorative dental treatment with four children, aged three to seven years. The procedure required no more time than traditional management…

This paper comments on the controversy surrounding the use of gentle teaching and applied behavior analysis. Strengths of gentle teaching are noted, such as its wide focus and emphasis on mutual change between client and caregiver. Behavioral interpretations are offered for behavior change reported in the use of gentle teaching procedures. (JDD)

Conducted single-subject, experimental research to examine efficacy of treating severe, long-term selective mutism in nine-year-old male using shaping, multiple reinforcers, natural consequences, stimulus fading, and mild aversives. Implemented different treatment regimens in home and school environments. Home intervention resulted in increase in…

Focuses on techniques with proven effectiveness in controlling misbehavior in both public schools and correctional institutions. Highlights three ways to handle misbehavior: (1) preventive planning; (2) anticipatory response; and (3) systematic interventions. Emphasizes preventive planning techniques. (Author/JOW)

A survey administered to 91 supported employment job coaches and 86 supervisors revealed that confusion exists over what constitutes an aversive intervention versus a nonaversive intervention for persons with disabilities. When asked to rate 20 vignettes describing interventions, respondents' ratings ranged from nonaversive to severely aversive on…

Used Comprehensive Process Analysis to analyze six client-identified significant insight events in two treatments. Psychodynamic-interpersonal therapy event documented existence of two-part significant events and value of key words. Cognitive-behavioral therapy event illustrated role of context in transforming small therapy events into significant…

The Program for Academic Survival Skills (PASS) was adapted for use by secondary-level regular and special education students by incorporating a radio/tape player with a clocklight instrument which signaled when students were following classroom rules. Through use of precise classroom rules, instructive praise, corrective teaching, and rewards,…

Assigned college students (n=48) to anger reduction for cognitive-relaxation coping skills counseling group; time-limited, anger-focused, process-oriented counseling group; or uncounseled control group. Found that both counseling groups led to significant reductions on trait, state, and person-specific measures of anger and on nontargeted general…

Presented residents of life care community and nursing homes with scenarios of older woman. Client varied by cognitive capacity and behavior problem (aggression, verbal abuse, noncompliance). Participants rated three treatments: differential reinforcement of incompatible behavior (DRI), time-out, and haloperidol. All treatments were acceptable;…

Because controlled drinking is achievable by younger people with fewer alcohol-related problems, moderation rather than abstinence is realistic goal for most young offenders. Behavioral self-control training is one type of intervention which can effectively encourage moderate drinking. Studying effects young offenders expect alcohol to have under…

Reviews studies of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) for generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder with and without agoraphobia, and social phobia. Sees CBT as consistently more effective than waiting-list and placebo control groups. Notes that cognitive change may be strong predictor of treatment outcome but that such change may be produced…

Sees cognitive therapy as promising psychosocial intervention for treatment of depression. Notes that, although cognitive therapy appears to be at least equal to alternative interventions with respect to acute treatment and there are indications that it may reduce risk of symptom return after treatment termination, design limitations reduce…

Used archival records to compare therapy process in 30 brief psychodynamic and 32 cognitive-behavioral therapies. Analyses of verbatim transcripts of 186 treatment sessions demonstrated that, although some features were common to both treatments, there were important differences. Identified what types of processes led to patient improvement in…