Search

The effects of sensory extinction procedures on nontargeted self-stimulatory behaviors of two autistic boys were assessed. In Experiment 1, the frequencies of two topographically similar behaviors of one child and two topographically dissimilar behaviors of the other child were examined within a reversal design. Application of sensory extinction for target behaviors resulted in a decrease in the topographically similar behavior, but no change in the dissimilar behavior. In Experiment 2, sensory extinction procedures were applied to three behaviors of one child using a multiple-baseline design. Two of these behaviors were topographically similar and all were maintained by the same sensory modality. Suppression occurred only for the topographically similar behavior. Results are discussed in terms of their treatment implications.

Adolescent depression represents a growing concern for secondary school personnel. Depression is often related to suicide, which currently ranks as the second leading cause of death in adolescents. Since secondary school personnel should be able to identify characteristics of adolescent depression, the purpose of this study was to assess regular classroom teachers', guidance counselors', and special education teachers' ability to identify characteristics of adolescent depression. Results indicated that counselors possess the greatest knowledge of these characteristics, while regular and special education teachers are somewhat less able to identify them. Results are discussed in terms of training and evaluation issues for teachers.