Behavioral psychology measurement methods helped assess antiepileptic drug behavioral side effects in five individuals with mental retardation who could not verbally communicate presence of side effects. When the suspected antiepileptic drug was altered, an 81% reduction of maladaptive behaviors occurred. The measurement methods enabled systematic…

Notes that while hitting-aggressive behavior is probably the greatest single behavior concern of teachers, children can be taught appropriate behavior for the classroom. Offers tips for dealing with: roughhousing; existing problems; grabbing toys; and war games, guns, or violent play. Suggests allowing children the choice of an alternative…

Although humor may be a key element in successful programs, little sophistication has been shown in understanding the various roles humor may play in helping troubled students. This report provides specific instances and practical examples of how humor might be used to provide education for troubled students. Draws on anecdotes and scenarios…

Research on resilience suggests that a sense of humor helps to stress-proof children in conflict. Reports on a workshop for educators and youth workers convened to explore ways humor is being used to foster positive development and resilience with troubled youth. Describes applications of humor front-line professionals report as useful in their…

Discusses results of functional assessments for three students referred for disruptive behavior. A descriptive assessment was first conducted to select one of three hypotheses for the behavior: teacher attention, peer attention, or escape from academic tasks. For each student, a different hypothesis was selected and the brief functional analysis…

A case study is used to show how an eclectic approach to counseling can be helpful in the integration of a child with special educational needs into a mainstream secondary school. Counseling techniques emphasized goal setting, feedback, and modeling to change perceptions, increase self-responsibility, and change behavior. (JPS)

This paper reviews the psychometric properties, treatment utility, and conceptual basis of instruments used to identify the functions of aberrant behaviors in people with developmental disabilities. Instruments include the Motivational Assessment Scale, Motivation Analysis Rating Scale, Functional Analysis Interview Form, and Functional Analysis…

Presents the 1985 resolution of the Association for Childhood Education International (ACEI) for participation in the interdisciplinary effort to ban corporal punishment. Discusses distinctions between discipline and child abuse. Reports medical and psychological effects of physical punishment, and relationships between school corporal punishment…

For a sample of 96 adolescents, found that, when the affective nature of the parent-adolescent relationship was positive, adolescent adjustment was more likely to be positive when adolescents reported less rather than more emotional autonomy. When family environments were stressful, emotional autonomy was positively associated with adolescent…

Examined the relationships between psychosocial protective factors (such as religious beliefs or parental sanctions) and adolescents' problem behaviors. Found a significant inverse relation between protection and problem-behavior involvement. Found significant interaction between protection and risk in the prediction of problem behavior;…

Describes strategies to counteract aggressive responses when students exhibit aggressive behaviors. Promising practices include the conflict cycle, self-management, components of life space interviewing, anger replacement training, and relationship technology. (JPS)

Journal articles dealing with drug treatment of individuals with mental retardation were examined to determine treatment goals and outcomes of treating behavior problems. Analysis of articles published from 1987 to 1993 in 5 major journals revealed that none of the 68 articles concerned with the psychopharmacology of mental retardation reported…

This article presents guidelines for effective discipline in special and general education settings. It addresses causes of discipline problems, prevention techniques (such as establishing rules), intervention techniques (organized into an intervention ladder of increasing intrusiveness), and techniques for evaluating discipline effectiveness. (DB)

Tells the story of a disruptive student who refuses to follow directions from the teacher and finds various ways of undermining classroom activities. Suggests that the student nevertheless sees his own work as "excellent" and believes his policy of "daring to be different" is really paying off. (TB)

Comparison of 16 autistic children receiving psychotropic medication with 16 similar nonmedicated children and their parents found that discriminators of the parental decision to medicate or not included: family stress; the child's speaking ability; and irritable, driven, non-goal-directed child behavior. (DB)