Results of follow-up studies conducted on 67 high-school students with behavior disorders (BD) who graduated in 1985 and 22 graduates with BD who graduated in 1993, after passage of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), were compared to investigate the effects of transition requirements. The class of 1993 demonstrated better…

This study compared perceptions of staff in self-contained programs and mainstreamed programs for students with emotional and behavioral disorders (EBD) in a district committed to inclusion, interagency coordination, and staff training. Well-established self-contained programs were perceived as superior to relatively new mainstream programs in…

Problems in early identification of children with emotional or behavioral disorders in current systems of care are discussed along with current methods for early screening. Use of early detection and ongoing assessment of response as a basis for more focused intervention is suggested. Primary and secondary prevention issues are also discussed.…

This article describes an Australian alternative specialized day and residential program called Hopetown School for older students with emotional or behavior disorders. The movement toward the inclusion of students with disabilities in general education to the fullest extent possible and the difficulty in including students with severe emotional…

Findings of t-tests on results from 1,247 adolescents in South Carolina indicate that, without adjustment, whites were higher than blacks on socioeconomic status, grade point average, and attitudes favoring drug use. Blacks were higher on positive peer influence, commitment to education, self-efficacy expectations, and reported conduct disorder…

Examined two groups of applicants with disabilities to determine counselors' judgments about limitations in functional capabilities. Ratings of applicants' functional limitations were partially explained by three latent dimensions derived from applicants' personal history information. Implications for the conduct of the eligibility determination…

Four boys (ages 5 to 12) with developmental disabilities and severe challenging behaviors were evaluated using two functional assessment procedures: different analog probe conditions, and direct classroom observation of the child's behavior, antecedents, and consequences. Results raised questions about the reliability and ecological validity of…

A study involving four children (ages 4-7) with developmental disabilities and severe opposition behaviors found that use of reinforcement for compliance in isolation was ineffective in bringing about significant improvement in child compliance. The addition of a graduated request hierarchy appeared to be associated with substantial changes in…

This study used archival data from an outpatient clinic to examine gender differences in young children exhibiting disruptive behavior disorders. Findings showed that males typically had higher scores than females on parent and teacher completed measures of child behavior disorders. Significantly more males than females had conduct disorders, and…

The role of archival data in planning intervention priorities is examined and efficacy research focusing on the three types of positive behavioral support (PBS) is evaluated: schoolwide (universal), specific setting, and individual student levels. Overall, findings were positive across all types of PBS, validating implementation of these…

A review of 20 independent samples found a wide range of school and student variables influence the use of administrative discipline contacts, whereas administrator/teacher and family variables have less influence. Relevant variables include participation in athletics, child neglect, antisocial behavior, and anecdotal suspension report. (Contains…

This article discusses evidence for functional behavioral assessment (FBA) procedures in terms of the meaning and interpretation of different forms of reliability and validity in FBA. It concludes that additional research needs to be conducted with various target behaviors across different settings to support the continued use of FBA. (Contains…

The effects of two methods of negative reinforcement on three young children (ages two and three) with developmental delays and chronic food refusal were examined. Physically guiding the child to accept food contingent on noncompliance and nonremoval of the spoon until the child ate were tested. Both treatments were effective; however, parents…

Examines assumption that art therapists can objectively identify self-images in drawings by troubled adolescents without talking to these youth. Findings suggest that discussion, though preferable, is not required for identifying self-images. Analysis of adolescents' drawings indicates that structured art assessment can be useful in evaluating…

This study examines the reliability and validity of various behavior rating scales, side effects checklists, and an ecobehavioral observation system used to study self-injurious behavior among persons with mental retardation. Findings from testing with 30 adults suggest that further refinement is necessary to reliably and sensitively assess the…