This study assessed the intra-rater and inter-rater reliability of the Motivation Assessment Scale as used with 20 adults with mental retardation, expanding the results of previous research by evaluating across additional time and administrations. Results from 19 raters indicated variable moderate-to-low intra-rater and inter-rater reliability.…

This article describes a framework for addressing the social and emotional development and challenging behaviors of young children. This pyramid framework includes four levels of practice to address the needs of all children, including children with persistent challenging behavior. An example is provided demonstrating how to implement this model…

Presents a bibliography of 59 books, journal articles, and web sites for further reading on preventing and responding to children's challenging behaviors. (SD)

Examined longitudinally the relationship between mother-child spontaneous joint play and development of conduct problems in 60 preschoolers. Found that amount of joint play at age 3 predicted individual improvement in conduct problems at age 4, and this association was independent of initial level of conduct problems and hyperactivity, social…

Examined intergenerational transmission of hostile parenting, moderating effects of child negative emotional reactivity, and links between second generation (G2) hostile parenting and G3 problem behaviors. Found that G1 mothers' hostile parenting when target participant was an adolescent (G2) predicted G2 hostile parenting toward their young child…

The purposes of this article are (a) to introduce the existential perspective as a viable theoretical framework for school counselors to utilize when addressing possible violent behavior in youth; and (b) to present a case study that introduces possible school counselor case conceptualization and interventions designed to address the existential…

Provides a historical overview of the development of functional analysis assessment methods. Discusses recent procedural developments that may make functional analysis more practical for psychologists in school or clinical settings. Reviews recent research extending functional analysis procedures to children with average intellectual functioning.…

A study of 288 students with moderate to severe mental retardation investigated the relationship between curricular activities and problem behaviors. Findings indicated a positive correlation between ratings of curricular activities (based on activities being socially functional, peer referenced, and behaviorally functional) and students'…

Discusses the use of animals in communicating with severely impaired children. Explains the biology of the relationship between humans and animals and the path toward alienation from animals that humans often take as they develop. (DDR)

Concerns about noncontingent reinforcement (NCR) are illustrated in a case study of a 13-year-old girl with severe mental retardation who was demonstrating severe aggression. Her NCR treatment produced an extinction burst and incidental reinforcement. A brief omission contingency was added to the reinforcement schedule, which resulted in decreased…

A study explored the construct of general anxiety in 69 individuals with severe and profound mental retardation and evaluated the validity of the DASH-II anxiety subscale to determine its value in categorizing individuals with and without anxiety. Results indicated only behavioral symptoms associated with anxiety could be reliably assessed.…

Describes the Graduated Reinforcement System, a simplifed token system that involves establishing a partnership with parents and students, identifying target behaviors, planning for record keeping, tallying daily/weekly points, designating the graduated reinforcement criteria, determining reinforcers for the three levels, awarding the reinforcer,…

This study investigated play behaviors in 30 pairs of children with and without disabilities. Children without disabilities perceived children with disabilities as playmates, but noted that limitations in communication and behavior problems made it difficult to maintain fuller friendship. (Contains references.) (Author/PB)

Examined associations between sleep and neurobehavioral functioning (NBF) in second-, fourth-, and sixth-graders. Found significant correlations between sleep- quality measures and NBF measures, particularly for the younger age group. Children with fragmented sleep were characterized by lower performance on NBF measures, particularly those…

Used a three-group design to determine the effects on child development of the Minnesota Family Investment Program (MFIP), a state welfare reform program. Findings showed that MFIP increased employment rates and decreased poverty. According to mother-reports, children were less likely to exhibit problem behaviors and more likely to perform better…