This article analyzes four federal court cases dealing with the use of reductive interventions to manage the behaviors of behaviorally disordered students in public schools. Definitions and principles of corporal punishment, suspension, expulsion, and timeout are outlined; and the legal status of these punishment procedures is explained.…

Used focus group discussion and classroom observations to compare whether early childhood teachers' reported use of timeout as a discipline method was congruent with classroom behavior. Found that the verbal responses of the five teachers observed were very congruent with what they carried out while teaching. (Author/KB)

Explores some typical early-childhood behaviors, such as tantrums, hitting, and sharing, and how they can be dealt with effectively. (HTH)

Contrasts instructive and punitive views of discipline in the early childhood setting. Maintains that caregivers' starting conception of discipline determines how they look at and treat child misbehavior. Contrasts time-out and time-in as approaches to dealing with a child's acting up. Asserts that instructive discipline helps children appreciate…

Effects of brief time out on the biting behavior of a 21- month-old boy enrolled in a day care setting was examined. The Motivation Assessment Scale (MAS; Durand, 1983) was used to determine the function of the child's biting. A parent report survey, the MAS assesses disruptive behavior using a Likert-type scale and discriminates the function of a…

Presented is a series of studies in which the efficacy of applying operant conditioning methodologies to the problem of stuttering was examined. One requirement was that the designed therapeutic programs utilize only verbal contingent stimuli (reinforcers and punishers) in the traditional therapeutic setting (client and therapist seated together…

The purpose of this study was to determine whether or not the treatment process of individualized lesson plans for teaching discipline to children was effective in reducing time-off-task and disruptive behaviors, while increasing time-on-task and appropriate social behaviors. The study was conducted at a primary school in Knoxville, Tennessee.…

Noting that current use of the disciplinary technique of timeout is often punitive, counterproductive, and damaging to children, this book presents suggestions to parents and teachers for making timeout a positive, motivating experience. Timeout, when used in combination with other techniques, can empower children to learn self control and self…

The effects of a simple timeout procedure on the eye gouging and head wagging behavior of a totally blind, seven-year-old child were studied. Parent and staff reports suggested that the reduction in manneristic behaviors was associated with the emergence of more acceptable and age appropriate social behavior. (SEW)

Treatment of a child-abusing mother that used parent skill training and videotape feedback eliminated the physical abuse and provided a more appropriate relationship. (Author/SS)

Presents a model for using guidance in mild and serious conflict situations in the preschool classroom. Describes how classic conflict management techniques are used to make both parties equal contributors to a peaceful settlement through mediation, including guidance talks, self-removal, and class meetings. Discusses use of comprehensive guidance…

The study compared the effectiveness of (1) reinforcement of other behavior, (2) verbal reprimands, and (3) movement suppression time-out in eliminating self injury and aggressive behaviors in two severely mentally retarded adult males. Improvements were only apparent when movement suppression was paired with either or both of the other…

This study evaluated effects of noncontingent and contingent protective equipment as treatment for self-injurious hand mouthing by two women with profound mental retardation. Behavior change appeared to be effected in both conditions. Results suggest either a punishment or a timeout interpretation, rather than an extinction interpretation, for the…

Six behavior analysis graduate students instructed parents with a history of child abuse and neglect in the use of time-out, before and after receiving training in time-out themselves and before and after training in behavioral consultation. Proficiency at administering time-out was insufficient for instructing others in its application; explicit…

Preschool children (n=32) were evaluated in an unstructured play session, matched for levels of appropriate or inappropriate social behavior, and assigned to a treatment or control condition. The treatment group conditions involved positive reinforcement, modeling, rehearsal, feedback, and time out. Although prosocial behaviors were successfully…