The fifth in seven sets of guidelines based on the consensus of experts in the treatment of psychiatric and behavioral problems in mental retardation (MR) focuses on selection of medications. Guidelines cover selection of medications for psychiatric disorders, selection of medications for target symptoms, and preferred medications within different…

This commentary uses self-injurious behavior to illustrate the approach of the functional analysis of behavior as a guide to rational treatment strategies for individuals with autism, and to show that the characteristics of the clinical presentations can provide clues for underlying mechanisms that can be used for research and treatment. (Contains…

This study evaluated Eysenck's hypothesis that an antisocial temperament in interaction with socialization, intelligence, and achievement puts an individual at risk of antisocial behavior. Recently paroled young adult males (N=107) were assessed for temperament, socialization, and juvenile behavior. The sample differed in predicted directions from…

Describes the use of risperidone in eight adult patients with moderate to profound mental retardation and markedly aberrant behaviors. Risperidone in these individuals was associated with significant reduction in aggression and self-injurious behavior. Side effects were primarily those of sedation and restlessness. (Author/CR)

Discusses evidence-based treatment for 7- to 10-year-old children experiencing Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) with the goal of informing "real-world" mental health counselor practice. First, results of the landmark Multimodal Treatment Study of Children with ADHD is presented and discussed. Then, clinical implications of…

Because youth who are in residential facilities are sometimes dangerous to themselves or others, there are times when physical restraints must be used for the safety of both residents and staff. But the use of restraints is coming under increased scrutiny because of potential dangers. In this article facilities share how training can help reduce…

This article introduces each of 10 peer-reviewed articles on severe behavior disorders, noting that collectively these articles on severe behavior disorders address a number of issues and challenges, suggest a variety of programmatic strategies, and propose directions for future research and practice for students with emotional and behavioral…

Three groups of fifth graders (total n=104) classified as either at-risk and with anti-social behavior/hyperactivity, at-risk only, or controls were contrasted on protective and risk factors from third-grade using multivariate analyses. Seven of eight variables were found to predict group membership including protective factors (e.g., academic and…

This study performed a factor analysis of the Developmental Behavior Checklist (DBC) with 531 children and adolescents with mental retardation. The DBC is intended to assess psychopathology in youth with mental retardation. Findings indicated substantial overlap with the factor analyses of the scale's developers and high levels of internal…

This study examined the effectiveness of self-operated auditory prompts when used to decrease the off-task and aberrant behaviors of two 19-year-old students with moderate mental retardation. Previous findings were replicated to demonstrate that stimulus control can be achieved through self-operated auditory prompts in school and community…

Self-reported internalizing symptoms of seriously emotionally disturbed (SED) and regular education students were compared using the Internalizing Symptoms Scale for Children. The SED group reported significantly higher levels of internalizing distress than the regular education group. Results are discussed in terms of future research needs and…

This study describes the Behavioral Assessment and Technology Support Systems (BATSS) group who have been conducting functional analyses of disruptive behavior in children with emotional/behavioral disorders for 24 months in two school districts. Functional analysis outcomes and intervention data are presented on 3 male elementary school students.…

This article discusses the promise and practice of functional assessment, provides a critical review of the existing experimental literature in the area of emotional and behavioral disorders (E/BD), and presents a research agenda that will lead to more informed decisions regarding the use of functional assessment in the schools. (Contains…

The introductory article to this special issue notes the goal of elucidating the meaning of science and defining the notion of rigor in the social sciences with reference to special education and the field of emotional/behavioral disorders in particular. It describes the issue's guiding conceptual framework and provides a brief overview of each of…

Fifty years ago, Fritz Redl and David Wineman wrote "Children Who Hate." This editorial provides a description of "Children Who Hate" and calls for scrutiny of the progress made in troubled children's lives during these 50 years. (BF)