A study of an adolescent with severe mental retardation, who demonstrated self-injurious behavior (SIB) when given attention, evaluated the extent to which providing attention only to appropriate communication would reduce SIB. The client's SIB was reduced significantly only when the therapist left the room when he engaged in SIB. (CR)

A study of a 15-year-old girl with autism who engaged in self-injury and aggression, found that gradually increasing the delay to reinforcement (access or escape), mand training, and extinction were effective for decreasing self-injury. Only when the gradual delay procedure was eliminated, however, was there a reduction in aggression. (Author/CR)

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)

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…

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)

Reviews possible links between obesity and borderline-personality disorder and discusses treatment approaches for those individuals demonstrating such comorbidity. Approaches include modification of current techniques for obesity treatment and incorporation of psychodynamic counseling specific to borderline-personality disorder. (Author/GCP)

Compares the efficacy of PrimeTime interventions (therapeutic mentoring, training in problem-solving skills, consultation with parents) with standard mentoring for teacher-identified aggressive children (N=62). Outcome analyses revealed small gains for both treatments and provided only partial support for the efficacy of the PrimeTime…

At an educational facility for at-risk youth, data on the use of punitive behavior management techniques was gathered before, during, and after staff training in the use of more positive approaches for responding to disruptive behavior. Discusses the shifts from reactive management of disturbing behavior to positive interactions between staff and…

Literature review determined a link between personal financial problems and employee productivity. Presents results of survey that assessed financial behaviors of clerical workers and their desire for workplace financial counseling. A large percentage of employees were exhibiting poor financial behaviors and 80% were interested in workplace…

Considers the planning, organizing, and conducting of a proposed model for shy college students. Offers several recommendations for educators and counselors on early identification of shy students, the design of educational environments to enhance development, and further research to answer questions about efficacy of treatment modes. (Author/JDM)

Describes pilot program, undertaken with staff from eight bars in Ontario, Canada, that uses a peer learning model to teach problem-solving skills regarding prevention and management of aggressive behaviors in bars. Participants showed significant positive changes in knowledge and attitudes regarding effective approaches. Program illustrated the…

Examines whether substantial increases in the positive interactional ratios of six highly disruptive adolescents would decrease their behavior problems. Results indicate that the intervention significantly decreased behavior problems in the boys as a group. Discusses findings in terms of response-contingent reinforcement and systemic behavior…

The literature suggests that adolescent peer group programs have produced positive academic and rehabilitative environments as well as environments that help reduce aggressive behaviors in group-living situations. This article suggests elements to facilitate a peer group approach to cognitive problem-solving development in school and group living…

Three experiments involving four children (ages 3-7) with mental retardation found participants preferred unreliable reinforcements under certain conditions. Findings are discussed regarding the role of specific stimuli as conditioned reinforcers and how they influence preference for a response that produces reinforcement on a leaner schedule than…

This introductory article to this special issue on the use of applied behavior analysis (ABA) with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) notes the 40-year history of ABA strategy development, verification, and generalization. It briefly introduces the following articles, which are intended to illustrate the range of ABA applications and the depth of…