Clinical research in the area of severe psychiatric disorders constituted the major focus for the discipline of applied behavior analysis during the early 1960s. Recently, however, there appears to be a notable lack of a behavioral focus within many inpatient psychiatric settings and a relative dearth of published behavioral treatment studies with…

The paper reviews research on effects of metal pollutants on behavioral disorders in children. Methodological programs of studies conducted in the 1970's are described. Research since 1980 is then addressed in terms of general population studies and studies of behaviorally disordered populations. Findings of research on the latter subject group…

The paper reviews the developmental perspective in interventions with behaviorally disordered youth and considers developmentally based models (such as the engineered classroom, the conceptual level model, and the developmental task instructional system). The Intervention by Prescription (IBP) model, an integrated problem solving system, is…

Teaching social routines to behavior-disordered children is addressed, with an emphasis on determining and maintaining the critical effect of a behavior and on providing contextual instruction. Assessment of behavioral problems in functional terms is discussed and procedures for assessing social functions and social skills are analyzed. The…

This report discusses definitional issues of behavior disorders and serious emotional disturbances and describes findings of a mail survey completed by administrators in 23 local and intermediate special education planning units and agencies in 11 states. Survey responses are summarized in tables. These present data on occurrence and agreement for…

Several experiments were carried out to determine whether learning disabled (LD) and behaviorally disordered (BD) students exhibit deficiencies in appropriate test-taking strategies and, if so, whether these strategies could be successfully trained. Preliminary investigations indicated that mildly handicapped students do exhibit deficiencies in…

Of three groups of adolescent boys (delinquent, disruptive, and controls), the delinquent group (n=20) showed a significantly greater tendency to operate in the paratelic motivational state (spontaneous, present-oriented behavior focusing only on immediately attainable goals) rather than in the telic motivational state (goal directed, purposeful,…

A six-year-old with severe conduct disorders and learning delays increased task accuracy and on-task performance and decreased his disruptions after a reinforcement contingency was instituted. Eventually the child assumed responsibility for grading all tasks independently, maintaining high task accuracy. (CL)

A detailed hypothesis of the acquisition and maintenance of self-stimulatory behavior is offered, proposing that such behaviors are operant responses whose reinforcers are automatically produced perceptual consequences. Related concepts are discussed, and support for the hypothesis from the areas of sensory reinforcement and sensory deprivation is…

Studies the relationship between cognitive functioning and conduct disorders in 17-year-old adolescents as defined by the Diagnostic Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders III. Results suggest that the relation of cognitive functioning to psychiatric status is specific to conduct disorders. (RJC)

Research suggests predisposition toward alcoholism and drug abuse by inherited behavioral propensities or temperaments which, through interaction with the physical and social environments, shape the development of the personality. Certain personality characteristics, specifically antisocial and neurotic traits, are also linked with the risk for…

Examination of the placement history of 172 abused and/or neglected children found that children had a more disrupted foster care placement history if they: (1) had severe behavior problems; (2) were very young when first removed from the natural home; or (3) had drug-addicted and/or alcoholic parents. (Author/DB)

Focuses on various forms of group therapy for severely emotionally and behaviorally disturbed adolescents. Discusses eclectic theoretical frame of reference including elements of psychodynamic, object relations, and structural and strategic family therapy theory. Identifies precedents for confrontational-supportive approach to be encounter group…

Intended for teachers, the article provides an introduction to the four major classes of psychotropic medication (stimulants, tranquilizers, anticonvulsants, and antidepressants) commonly prescribed for children with learning or behavioral disorders. Specific effects on the classroom are addressed. (DB)

Describes three family types associated with bulimia: perfect, overprotective, and chaotic. Outlines functions of bulimia in the family and common treatment strategies. (Author/ABB)