Examined how contextual settings of prisons affect behavior of inmates. Found relationship between climate and several indicators of prisoner adjustment. Provision of support for self-advancement and improvement was related to positive prison adjustment. Prisons with less structure and more opportunities for self-efficacy experienced fewer…

The use of functional analysis is demonstrated with a case study of a preschool child with behavior problems in the classroom. Discussion focuses on the steps of a functional analysis: interview, direct observation, systematic environmental manipulations, and development of intervention procedures. (DB)

Hierarchical confirmatory factor analysis was used to evaluate the two-factor second-order structure of the Child Behavior Checklist (T. Achenbach, 1991) in a sample of 577 children with serious emotional disturbance. Results support Achenbach's proposed structure model and indicate that an overall score would be an appropriate measure of global…

A study evaluated the utility of a five-minute stimulus preference assessment for 20 individuals with developmental disabilities. The brief assessment identified stimuli that functioned as reinforcers for a simple operant response and identified preferred stimuli that were differentially effective as reinforcers. This assessment was associated…

Noncontingent escape (NCE) was used to reduce disruptive behavior in three children (age 4) with autism during regularly scheduled speech therapy sessions. Results showed rapid decreases in disruptive behavior and accompanying increases in compliance across children. Findings suggest that speech therapists can effectively implement NCE. (Author/CR)

Describes 11 World Wide Web sites which provide information for teachers on behavior management. Sites were recommended by a panel of teachers, family members, researchers, and communication specialists. (DB)

Reviews studies involving noncontingent reinforcement (NCR) for the treatment of challenging behavior such as aggression, self-injury, and extreme tantrums in persons with developmental disabilities. A clinical guide for implementation is delineated. Among the advantages of NCR is ease of implementation. NCR appears particularly relevant for…

Describes the Constructive Discipline model as a preventive positive approach for managing behavior problems in school settings. Compares Constructive Discipline with traditional discipline approaches and stresses the need to clarify discipline policy, provide considerable staff support, and make allowances for individual student differences in…

This study compared maladaptive behavior in 23 people with Prader-Willi syndrome due to paternal deletion and in 23 age- and gender-matched subjects with maternal uniparental disomy. Controlling for IQs, the deletion cases showed significantly higher maladaptive ratings, more symptom-related distress, and more behavior problems. Findings suggest a…

A survey of the families of 62 persons with Prader-Willi syndrome examined the prevalence, topographies, and specific body locations of self-injurious behaviors. Self-injury was reported for 81% of the participants. Skin-picking was the most prevalent form with the front of the legs and head being disproportionately targeted. Incidence also varied…

Examined the number and nature of temperamental types in 488 children, age 3 years 6 months. Configural-frequency-analysis methods showed clear support for two temperament types: controlled-nonexpressive and noncontrolled-expressive. These types showed meaningful differences against external criteria related to a wide range of problem behaviors.…

Notes that time-outs have become a preferred method for setting limits with preschool children, and illustrates why this method is not developmentally appropriate for use with toddlers. Suggests that caregivers should join young children at play, be alert for learning opportunities, and develop practices to minimize conflicts. (LBT)

When people feel they belong, they care about what others think of them. In conducting teacher workshops, author has encountered growing numbers of teachers who report a whole new class of students who act as if they don't care about their behavior and for whom authority has little or no meaning. This article discusses strategies for creating…

Examines the effects of competency-based instructional paradigm on parent skill acquisition and noncompliant behavior of four children ages 6 to 9. Results suggest that the treatment program within a consultation model is an effective method of indirect service delivery when used with parents of noncompliant school-age children. (Author/JDM)

This longitudinal study examined relations between self-reported parental reactions to children's negative emotions (PNRs) and children's socially appropriate/problem behavior and negative emotionality. Evidence was consistent with the conclusion that relationship between children's externalizing, but not internalizing, emotion and parental…