This review analyzes the origin and maintenance of self-injurious behavior, focusing on the areas of operant contingencies, sensory contingencies, and/or biological variables. It discusses definitions, prevalence, and etiology. A hypothesis is forwarded which includes components from both the operant and biological domains to explain the origin of…

The study evaluated two simulation methods (either on-self or using a doll) of general case instruction in teaching menstrual care to four severely/profoundly retarded adolescents and women. Results indicated limited generalization after training using a doll, high levels of generalized responding following on-self instruction, but decreased…

The study taught three moderately mentally retarded adolescents to: (1) communicate an emergency (dial 911), (2) apply first aid for minor injuries, (3) apply a plastic bandage to a minor injury, (4) apply first aid for choking. The maintenance of skills rarely practiced is discussed. (DB)

Stresses the importance of maintaining multilingualism in the United States in the face of arguments by "English Only" advocates that the U.S. risks being torn apart by multilingualism. Historical evidence from the Soviet Union and from Australia is cited to support the viability of successful management of multilingualism. (Author/DJD)

Three autistic boys, aged 6-7, observed videotaped conversations consisting of 2 people discussing toys. Subsequent assessment of the boys using untrained topics of conversation, new stimuli, new persons, and other settings indicated that the children learned through video modeling, generalized their conversational skills, and maintained…

The study found that institutionalized mentally retarded persons were more likely to be maintained on neuroleptic drugs because of events (such as disturbing behavior, self stimulation, or physical aggression) perceived as significant and recorded by staff in clinical notes than for the reasons the drugs were prescribed initially. (Author/DB)

Describes the advantages of EPDM, a single-ply rubber roofing system, and the experience of using it in reroofing eight public schools in the Logansport, Indiana, School District. (MLF)

Reviews the current use of Portuguese loanwords in Konkani, 28 years after the absence of Portuguese rule over Goa, India, considering grammatical, phonological, and semantic aspects. Although Goans predictably integrated Portuguese lexicon into Konkani, many of the loanwords are no longer used, especially among younger generations. (CB)

Examines "linguistic normalization" (of Catalan in the Catalonia region of Spain) from a game-theory perspective, in which strategic interaction determines language shift. The linguistic assimilation of non-Catalan-speaking immigrants is less of a problem than is currently believed, although the conflict of interest among the…

Volapuek, an artificial language that preceded Esperanto and was the center of a short-lived movement, is undergoing an attempted revival spearheaded by Esperantists. Volapuek is recognized as the first successful international language in the history of planned languages. (Author/MSE)

Roofing is one of the major expense items in school district maintenance budgets. Outlines steps to take in project planning, developing budget estimates and specifications, and completing a roofing project on time. (MLF)

Two studies investigated the effects of group socialization procedures (teachers discussed friendship and praised child-child social responding) on the social behavior of preschool children. Results indicated that the procedures were a practical and effective method for improving young children's social interaction during both structured games and…

The effectiveness of a graduated guidance procedure for increasing independence in dressing was examined in a multiple baseline analysis across behaviors with two multihandicapped children (ages nine and five). Results showed both children learned dressing skills with generalization of training to similar garments and maintenance of skills and 18…

Studies language contact and language shift among different generations of Japanese immigrants in Brazil. The social factors involved in the abandonment of the ethnic (Japanese) code is considered. Results indicate that, typically, ethnic identity switch is accompanied by mother tongue replacement with Portuguese by the third generation.…

This research review indicates that gifted children demonstrate greater factual knowledge about how their minds work and a greater tendency to generalize strategies to divergent tasks, but do not show a greater tendency to use strategies on their own, maintain strategies over time, or use strategies on tasks similar to the original tasks. (PB)