Jason R. Dura

Expressive communicative ability, symptoms of mental illness and aggressive behavior

The role of expressive communicative ability and level of mental illness symptoms in predicting aggressive behavior was explored in 67 adults with mental retardation. Overall rates of aggression were low with dangerous aggression more the exception than the rule. However, a subset of aggressive behaviors appeared to exist as a continuing risk for injury to others. Both expressive communicative ability and level of mental illness symptoms were strong predictors of aggressive behavior. In combination, high mental health symptoms and low expressive communicative ability were associated with the greatest prevalence of aggression.

Controlling Extremely Dangerous Aggressive Outbursts When Functional Analysis Fails

This article describes and illustrates a treatment program aimed at addressing intermittent extremely dangerous aggressive behavior in an 11-year-old girl who was blind, multiply handicapped, and profoundly mentally retarded. In the month preceding treatment she had injured a peer, a paid careprovider, and her mother. Functional analysis produced no clear antecedents to aggression. Punishment was used to introduce a superordinate contingency. Differential reinforcement of alternative behavior combined with contingent restraint reduced, then eliminated aggression. Follow-up at an age equivalent of 4 years, 6 months indicated a continued absence of aggression. Results are discussed in regards to the balance between research methodology, agency policy, right to effective treatment, and social validity.

Stability of the Wide Range Achievement Test in an Adolescent Psychiatric Inpatient Setting

The Wide Range Achievement Test (WRAT) is widely used to assess school achievement. The present investigation examined the stability of WRAT scores in 50 adolescent psychiatric inpatients. Comparisons were made between testing results near admission and immediately prior to discharge. The results supported the WRAT as a stable measure of school achievement in an inpatient adolescent population across time and diagnoses.

Establishing independent microcomputer use in people with multiple handicaps, profound mental retardation, and a history of learning failure

Abstract Microcomputers have recently been introduced as habilitative tools in programming efforts with children who have multiple handicaps and profound mental retardation. Microcomputers offer great promise as habilitative tools if spontaneous interaction between the person and the computer can be established. Our experience suggested that aspects of traditional instruction could prevent effective teaching of independent microcomputer use. Consequently, a training paradigm was designed to evaluate the viability of the computer instruction in an extraneous stimulus restricted environment. We found that two of four subjects responded to the computer software and the training paradigm. The role of innovative strategies in habilitative programming is discussed.

SUCCESSFUL TREATMENT OF CHRONIC PSYCHOGENIC VOMITING BY SELF-MONITORING

A 25-yr.-old male psychiatric inpatient with a history of chronic psychogenic vomiting was treated using self-monitoring. Vomiting ceased after introduction of self-monitoring and reoccurred once prior to discharge.

Medication use in an ICF/MR for nonambulatory severely and profoundly mentally retarded children

The preponderance and pattern of several categories of medication was surveyed over 1 year in an ICF/MR for children with multiple handicaps and profound mental retardation. The use of laxatives was found to be almost universal. Anticonvulsant and muscle relaxant drug prescription was much higher than in surveys with ambulatory populations, whereas psychotropic drugs were virtually unused in this sample. Apparent seasonal changes were noted for analgesic and antibiotic medications. Several marked differences in drug prescription between multihandicapped and ambulatory populations were identified.

Facial Screening Fails in the Treatment of Stereotypy

Research has consistently supported facial screening as an effective treatment technique capable of reducing a plethora of aberrant behaviors. As yet few data are available, suggesting less than enthusiastic support for this behavioral consequence. The present investigation found facial screening accelerated the rate of stereotypy after prior reports of effective reduction of the rate of stereotypy with this individual. The advantages of rapid evaluation strategies and the need for publication of negative results are discussed.