Describes planning, implementation, and evaluation of an instructional unit that uses a direct instruction approach to teach the basics of American Sign Language to elementary-age students with serious emotional or behavior disorders. Figures list lesson topics and instructional objectives, provide a sample lesson plan and a story suitable for…

Analysis of data on discipline problems and suspensions at a large urban high school found a high frequency of disciplinary referrals and suspensions and poor correspondence between school disciplinary policy and disciplinary actions. Students with recurrent suspensions were found to be a very heterogeneous group. Implications for developing…

Debates the use of Ritalin for children with Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD), highlighting the experience of one boy who takes the drug. The article examines diagnosis of ADD, school and home lives of families affected by ADD, and controversy over the widespread use of Ritalin. (SM)

This article describes an individual (age 49) with mental retardation who experienced behavioral exacerbation associated with clonazepam prescribed at 2 mg/day to treat aggression, self-injurious behavior, property destruction, and screaming. When clonazepam was reduced and discontinued, these behaviors significantly decreased from 3.1% of…

Results of a study found little difference in correct responding or on-task behavior of three children (ages 9-12) with emotional or behavioral disorders when a function was provided for written assignments, or arithmetic assignments were shortened, until a model for correct responding was added. (Contains references.) (CR)

This study compared 136 second, third, and fourth graders considered to be at high, moderate, and low risk of behavior disorders on several variables. The Critical Events Index was used; primary differences among the groups were on indicators of social competence and externalizing behaviors. (CR)

Discusses problems of using applied behavior analysis for individuals with mental retardation who have behavior disorders and presents a sensitivity model of motivation that stresses analysis in terms of aberrant environments, aberrant contingencies, and aberrant motivation. Describes implications for communication theory, assessment, and…

A study of the computer records of 2,353 10th-grade students found no significant difference between the midyear 10th-grade holding power for students enrolled in general and special education programs. Significant differences favoring the holding power of general education for children with learning disabilities and behavior disorders were found.…

Tips for working with students who have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder include putting them in charge of something, providing structure, giving feedback, using logical consequences for unwanted behavior, being patient, teaching in novel ways, helping them with their gear, pairing them with another student, allowing blow-out time, and…

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 describes the development of the Preschool Taxonomy of Problem Situations (PTOPS). An examination of the PTOPS using a clinical sample of 42 maltreated children (ages 2-5) indicated the PTOPS subscales were high in internal reliability and were highly convergent with subscales of the Preschool Behavior Questionnaire. (Contains…

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 study examined the effectiveness of teaching five adolescents with mental retardation and behavior disorders to lead their own Individualized Education Program (IEP) meetings. Students learned to introduce others at their IEP meetings, review their past IEP goals, discuss their future IEP goals, and close their meetings. (Contains references.)…

A study examined different types of and amount of vocational programming received by 398 secondary students with emotional or behavioral disorders and post-school outcomes. Generic vocational education and on-the-job- training had significant positive relationships with total earnings. All types of vocational education had inverse significant…

In response to a paper on effects of risperidone on behavior in people with developmental disabilities, this paper raises the issue of how clinicians determine whether treatment should target the psychiatric disorder underlying the aberrant behavior (diagnosis-based treatment) or should target the aberrant behavior directly (behavior-based…