Examination of self-restraint in 99 adults with severe/profound mental retardation who exhibited self-injury found that 46% exhibited self-restraint. A higher occurrence of compulsive behaviors was found for subjects who engaged in self-injury and self-restraint. When self-restraint was prevented, subjects responded negatively. Results support a…

Tangible preference assessments were compared with verbal preference assessments for six individuals (ages 15-20) with mental retardation, behavior disorders, or both. The two assessments yielded similar high-preference items for 4 of the 6 participants. The verbal assessment was typically completed in less time than the tangible assessment.…

Although much research has been conducted to learn more about disruptive behavior disorders, little is known about gender differences in the disorders. Article discusses the diagnosis, risk factors, and treatment of oppositional defiant disorder and conduct disorder while incorporating information specific to girls to investigate how disruptive…

The second 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 informed consent. Guidelines cover underlying concepts, usual components, informed consent as a process, information to include, what to provide, when to obtain informed consent, and…

The sixth in seven sets of guidelines based on expert consensus in the treatment of psychiatric and behavioral problems in mental retardation (MR) focuses on managing inadequate response to initial medication treatment. Guidelines cover recommended steps before changing the medication regimen and selecting the next medication or adjunctive…

This paper describes an example of the use of early detection of emotional/behavioral disorders and a self-determination curriculum in the Head Start Program of Youth Development Incorporated in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The rationale for this approach is discussed and preliminary data on the program's effectiveness are presented. (Contains…

Examines the understandings, definitions, and experiences of forgiveness held by members of the clergy who reported conflict with the religious superiors who mandated their entry into residential psychiatric treatment because of substance abuse/dependence, sexual misconduct, compulsive behavior disorder, or affective disorders. Compares the data…

This study examined the relationship between opportunities to respond (OTR) to academic requests and teacher praise in 20 classrooms for students with emotional and/or behavior disorders using time-window sequential analysis. Results suggest that: (1) a summary-level relationship represented by a significant positive correlation and (2) a…

A study of 6,947 students (ages 12-19) found a construct of "System of Law" that measured knowledge of school rules and consequences for infractions led to less disorder. A construct of "Secure Building" that included variables showing physical and personnel-based actions to run a secure building led to more disorder. (Author/CR)

First-graders (n=678) with behavior disorders received either a classroom-centered (CC) intervention designed to enhance teachers' behavior management or family-school partnerships intervention that targeted improvement in parent-teacher communication and parents' behavior management strategies. The CC intervention was more effective in reducing…

This article urges a more scientific approach to evaluation of effective practices in the field of emotional or behavioral disorders. It suggests that the rigor of analytical narrative synthesis and meta-analyses are more useful than qualitative approaches. The evaluative power of these two approaches is illustrated by examples related to…

The concluding article to this special issue asks what science and its empirical rigors mean to those who work with children and youths with emotional or behavioral disorders. It considers how scientific evidence is being put to the test in the current context of schools and what failure to rely on empirical data might cost in the long run.…

Stereotypy is a relatively common behavioral disorder displayed by individuals with developmental disabilities, including autism. In this paper, we review selected studies on neurobiological interpretations of stereotypy and pharmacological interventions for stereotypy. Specifically, we review studies that evaluated the effects of serotonin uptake…

We manipulated two parameters of response blocking to reduce pica: (a) the criteria for initiating the procedure (either earlier or later in the response chain) and (b) the distance from which the procedure was initiated. Results suggested that response blocking may be effective only when implemented early in the chain and with near-perfect…

This case report describes the successful treatment of severe self-injurious behavior in a 16-year-old adolescent with Tourette's disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder. Treatment is described from initial presentation to the emergency department for severe self-inflicted oral lacerations through discharge from the inpatient psychiatric…