After addressing the problems inherent in developing staff improvement programs, the author offers starter planning steps for countering the energy drainage of teachers, countering the weak technology of teaching, and countering the feeling of aloneness of the teacher. (KC)

Reports that praise and extrinsic reinforcers, such as candy, increased the rate of letter recognition in preschool children and that the increase was partially maintained when the reinforcement was removed. (FL)

In an excerpt from his new book, "Growing With Your Children," the author discusses the changing self-images--both positive and negative--children have of themselves and suggests that adults have a strong impact on children's self-images, and should look for strengths, rather than focusing on negatives. (KC)

Discusses certain factors that contribute to the development of chronic pain. Psychosocial factors are explored with a summary of their implications for treatment. Medical treatment for chronic pain is reviewed and holistic treatment is surveyed. (Author)

Empathy ratings, made for 27 counselor statements said prior to topic change and for 27 randomly selected counselor statements, were compared with the average empathy rating for the counseling interview. Empathy ratings prior to topic changes were significantly lower than the average interview empathy ratings. Results are discussed. (Author)

Offers experience-based insights on building relationships of trust and respect with hard-to-reach youth. Describes a program, designed for 12- to 14-year olds on juvenile probation, which emphasizes love and respect. Argues for the futility of fixating on problem behaviors and the importance of providing youth a challenging and fun environment.…

This article reviews research describing assessment-based antecedent interventions implemented in natural settings. Descriptive information is provided along a number of dimensions pertaining to participant characteristics (n=42), assessment utilized, and intervention attributes. Results indicate the most common interventions targeted aggression,…

This article discusses resiliency behaviors and characteristics that can be nurtured within a family, school, or agency. These include practicing unconditional positive acceptance; establishing close, supportive relationships; communicating realistic standards; establishing clear boundaries; using a low-criticism style of interaction; focusing on…

A review of 41 studies on behavioral interventions for children with autism (ages 0-8) found aggression, tantrums, self-injury, and stereotypy were behaviors most targeted. Results also indicate interventions should be developed based on a thorough analysis of biological, antecedent, and consequence events that control them. Behavioral support…

Method of treatment of self-injurious behaviors for three severely retarded students (ages six-seven) was selected by matching one of three hypotheses (self-stimulation, positive reinforcement, negative reinforcement) to a judgment concerning cause. Results supported the argument that treatment programs should be based on a functional analysis of…

An activity called "validationgram" derived from Ishiyama's model of self-validation is described. It is a visual activity of mapping sources of validation in four domains: relationships, activities, things, and places. It is proposed that validationgram is useful in exploring client's world of meanings, feelings, and values. (JBJ)

The article examines five issues that student teachers should discuss with their master teachers and five issues that master teachers should discuss with their student teachers at the beginning of the experience. The issues focus on expectations, attitudes, classroom management, mistakes, help, positive reinforcement, collegiality, and…

This commentary on a paper (EC 603 646) describing a natural reinforcement project of Communidad Los Horcones (Mexico) notes that the original paper lacks auxiliary procedures for students whose behaviors are not controlled by described procedures, offers no guidance on curriculum structure, and fails to recognize potential opposition to such…

The article explores motivation as it relates to worksite health promotion participation, addressing incentive use as a motivational means of getting and keeping employees involved in health promotion programs. It suggests various incentives to help program planners, categorizing them as social or material reinforcers. (SM)

Studies a special education classroom in a rural elementary school. After learning to check spelling with a dictionary, 11 special education students were required to decrease spelling errors by 20 percent per week to attend storytelling sessions. Ten students met the requirement during two treatment weeks and maintained reduced error rates at…