A study conducted functional analyses of the pica of three young children. The pica of one participant was maintained by automatic reinforcement; that of the other two was multiply-controlled by social and automatic reinforcement. Preference and treatment analyses were used to address the automatic function of the pica. (Author/CR)

This report reviews research on personality disorders (PDs) in adolescents, focusing on the prevalence of certain PDs by gender and the impact of gender on diagnosis. Empirical findings are presented pertaining to PD gender differences in adults for comparison and conclude that most DSM-III-R defined PDs are unrelated to gender. (Author)

This article describes specific components of a multifaceted approach to functional behavior assessment in the context of the widely accepted behavioral excess/deficit model for students with externalizing behavior disorders. Specific strategies to address academic skill and performance deficits as well as social skills deficiencies are also…

A 3-year study investigated interactions of teachers and 99 students (grades 1-8) with high rates and/or severe disruptive behaviors and 278 controls. There were no differences in the relative occurrences of disruptive behaviors of the students, however, teachers were more likely to respond negatively to disruptive behaviors of target students.…

Examines the current literature and implications of follow-up studies of students with emotional/behavioral disorders (EBD). A general conclusion drawn by the literature reviewed was that students with EBD also have lower grades, more course failures, a higher grade retention, and a higher dropout rate than other disability groups and the general…

Assessed the importance of knowledge and skill competencies in applied behavior analysis by experienced teachers of students with emotional-behavioral disorders (E/BD) who completed E/BD knowledge and skill competency rating scales. Teachers considered applied behavior analysis competencies very important to their teaching knowledge and skills.…

Problems experienced by youth with emotional and behavioral disorders (EBD) exact enormous toll on themselves, families and communities. Authors discuss three mental health initiatives for EBD youth, consisting of school-based practices, individualized care, stakeholder collaboration, intensive service coordination, and family-centered services.…

A study compared observers' and teachers' reports on 54 Jamaican and 48 African American children (ages 6-11). Observers' ratings revealed higher total problem scores for Jamaican children than for their African American peers. In contrast, teachers' ratings indicated that African American children received higher total problem scores than…

This article summarizes articles related to functional assessment and its applications for individuals with problem behaviors. The research indicates functional assessment procedures have been established as a standard assessment tool that identifies environmental variables related to problem behaviors with links to the development of effective…

The prevalence of learning disabilities (LD) was studied in 233 students (ages 6-16) newly identified with behavioral disorders. Overall, 53.2 percent met at least one LD definition, ranging from 15.9 percent for low achievement to 42.9 percent for regression. Almost one-quarter showed overlapping between low achievement and discrepancy…

This article reviews experiments that do not demonstrate the existence of setting events and some that include appropriate procedures for investigating setting events. It considers setting events to be a fourth term of an operant, and suggests that precise measurement and control of the three-term contingency is necessary. (Author/CR)

A study involving 103 children (ages 5-17) examined the clinical utility of the ADHD Symptom Checklist-4 (ADHD-SC4), a screening measure for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Findings support the internal consistency and validity of the ADHD-SC4 as a screening instrument for ADHD, oppositional defiant disorder, and aggressive…

This article explains the operational conceptualizations of emotional intelligence, the benefits of emotional intelligence, and consequences of ignoring emotional intelligence. The roles of general and special educators in developing such intelligence in students with behavior problems are discussed, and an inclusive model for building emotional…

This article reviews research conducted by the author and colleagues over a 27-year period on enhancement of peer-related social skills in young children with behavioral disorders or autism. It argues that a logical positivist approach has yielded significant quality-of-life benefits to participants while effectively challenging many outdated…

Investigated the attitudes and behaviors related to alcohol use of adolescent males with emotional disturbances. Results from focus group interviews highlighted four attitudes and behaviors: rationalization of their drinking, self-absorption (disregard for the feelings of others and the consequences of their actions), drinking with peers versus…