Decreasing attention deficit hyperactivity disorder symptoms utilizing an automated classroom reinforcement device

Psychologists and physicians are frequently approached by parents and, indirectly, by classroom teachers to diagnose and treat Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. Requests are also frequently made for psychostimulant medication to control ADHD behavioral symptoms. One reason for such requests is that alternative classroom approaches to treating ADHD have focused on positive reinforcement, response cost, and token reinforcement programs, all of which can require extensive teacher involvement. One of the major problems with such behavioral approaches is the fact that teachers have limited time to reinforce positive, attentive behaviors, and/or alternative behaviors to ADHD symptoms. This study examined the efficacy of an automated reinforcement device, the Attention Training System (ATS), in decreasing off-task behavior in an 11-year-old, fifth-grade student who had been diagnosed as being affected with ADHD and had been placed in Special Education Resource Room programming. The Attention Training System provides automated token reinforcement in the form of points on a fixed interval schedule when the youngster is on-task. When distractible, impulsive, or hyperactive behavior occurs, the Attention Training device can be activated by a teacher to provide a response-cost consequence of loss of points. The device in this study was coupled with a token reinforcement program whereby points could be exchanged for selected reinforcers at the end of each day. Results indicated that the ATS plus token reinforcement was successful in reducing off-task behavior across classes of three subject areas: Science, Reading, and Social Studies. Results have implications for psychologists and physicians in their attempts to assist families and schools in their management of youngsters with ADHD.     

Student behaviors, teacher reinforcement, student ability, and learning

Ninety-eight children were observed for 6-min periods on each of 10 days during 50-min, small-group classes in either mathematics, science, geography, or language usage. Two student behaviors (on-task behavior and accuracy of responding to teacher-directed questions) and three types of teacher reinforcement (verbal reinforcement for on-task behavior and accurate responding and tangible reinforcers) were coded during each observation period. A post-test of achievement, directly related to the content of the lessons, was administered at the end of the 10 days of instruction. The causal effects of student behaviors, teacher reinforcement, and student ability (reading achievement and intelligence) on achievement were evaluated using path analysis. The strongest effects were from student ability measures, with accurate responding by students and teacher reinforcement of accurate responding exhibiting smaller, but significant effects. Findings are discussed to qualify the relationship between overt classroom behaviors and degree of learning and the mediating effects of student ability.     

The effects of token reinforcement versus cognitive behavior modification on learning-disabled students' math skills

The effects of token reinforcement, cognitive behavior modification, and direct instruction on learning-disabled students' math skills were compared. Math skills were measured by 2-minute classroom timings of basic addition and subtraction problems, and the Stanford Diagnostic Mathematics Test. Treatment was provided to 94 students for 4 weeks in daily 1-hour sessions. Significant differential gain between treatment and direct instruction groups in achievement test scores was found, F(4, 182) = 4.03, p<.01. Token reinforcement and cognitive behavior modification were found to be equally effective. All three groups improved with 2-minute classroom timings, F(2, 91) = 8.53,p<.001. Retention of skills for both treatments was maintained over a 2-week no-treatment period. Teachers' social validity ratings indicated differences between the two treatments relative to student behaviors and teacher roles. It is concluded that token reinforcement and cognitive behavior modification are equally effective techniques to remediate learning-disabled students' math achievement, and both are superior to direct instruction in some cases.     

A naturalistic observation of verbal discipline modeling in a first grade classroom

Within the context of illustrating three observational techniques: Ad Lib., Focal Child, and All Occurrences of Some Behaviors, verbal disciplinary techniques as used by a regular classroom teacher and a student teacher are compared. Managing, Threatening, and Describing behaviors were observed as these were used as desist attempts by the teachers to stop inappropriate behaviors, and, presumably, to return the children to on-task behaviors.Since discipline is frequently a student teacher's most difficult task, some modeling of the classroom teacher's behaviors were expected to occur. This was found for discipline directed at individual children, but not total group disciplinary attempts. While the regular teacher produced more desists and was more effective in returning the children to on-task behavior, when disruptive children's sequential patterns of behavior were examined the most frequent response was something other than on-task behaviors. Questions are raised about what should be modeled, and when in a sequence of behaviors a teacher should intervene.University of Illinois     

Behavior and achievement relationships with emotionally disturbed children: An applied study

Reciprocal relationships between on-task behavior and certain academic performance targets have been demonstrated in a number of short-term applied behavior analysis studies. These studies have not had emotionally disturbed or behavior disordered (ED/BD) children as subjects, and are generally not carried out over sufficient intervals to measure effects on standardized tests of achievement. Studies of ongoing programs over longer periods of time have shown inconsistent results when comparing levels of on-task behavior with standardized achievement gains. The present study questions the hypothesized relationship between on-task behaviors and standardized achievement with ED/BD children. Further, it seeks to determine significant relationships between certain specific on-task behaviors (e.g., completing assignments) and standardized achievement. Forty ED/BD children participated in a token economy over the course of an entire academic year. Minimal pre-post achievement gains (p < .01) and a high level of on-task behavior (84%) were noted, but there were no significant relationships between on-task behaviors and measured achievement. The results are discussed in the context of similar findings from other ongoing programs with ED/BD students. Suggestions are offered for investigating other classes of behavior (e.g., academic engaged time) with these children, in order to discover more consistent behavior-achievement relationships.     

Effects of self-monitoring and contingent reinforcement on on-task behavior and academic productivity of learning-disabled students: A social validation study

The purpose of this study was to investigate the social validity of behavior change produced by self-monitoring and contingent reinforcement upon the on-task behavior and academic productivity of six learning-disabled students using a single-case, multiple-treatment design. Subjects self-monitored their on-task behavior while concurrent measures of academic productivity were collected. This study employed two phases of self-monitoring and contingent reinforcement. Self-monitoring was broken down into its component parts: self-observation and self-recording. Contingent reinforcement consisted of verbally reinforcing improvements and meeting goals set for both on-task behavior and academic productivity. On-task behavior and academic productivity improved under both interventions. Improvements were commensurate to levels of on-task behavior and academic productivity exhibited by the subjects' nonhandicapped peers. Implications for research and practice are discussed.     

Children’s Physical Activity and On-Task Behavior Following Active Academic Lessons

Sitting for extended periods of time is detrimental to children’s physical health and may cause off-task behavior in the classroom. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of a classroom physical activity (PA) program, TAKE 10!®, on children’s PA and on-task behavior. Participants in the program included 137 children from six classes (third to fifth grades) in one ethnically diverse elementary school in the Southwestern United States. Classroom teachers implemented 10-minute bouts of active academic TAKE 10!® lessons for 12 weeks (four weeks baseline and eight weeks intervention). PA was measured using pedometers and on-task behavior was measured using systematic observation in the classrooms. Children’s step counts increased significantly (p < 0.05) by 853 from baseline to end-intervention. There was also significant (p < 0.05) improvement in on-task behavior of 5.5%. Active academic lessons were effective in increasing children’s in-school PA and on-task behavior in the classroom.     

代币法在儿童行为辅导中的应用

本文简要介绍了一种有效解决儿童问题的一种行为矫正方法———代币法。在代币制的执行过程中要注意几个问题:对儿童需要的奖励不能够完全满足;代币的价值在建立之初要稳定,获得代币的行为标准不可太严;后援强化物的范围要广,而且要明确,不能含糊;奖励必须及时;行为的难易程度必须与获得代币的数量相等。代币制的运用对儿童行为的塑造具有极其重要的意义:可以培养儿童的好的行为习惯;培养儿童的意志力;可以培养儿童热爱劳动的好习惯,最后还可以促进儿童心理的成熟。     

Long-term effects of a token economy on target and off-task behaviors

The present study examined the effects of a token economy on off-task (nontarget) behavior occurring concurrently with the reinforcement of target behavior. The ability of a token economy to maintain its effectiveness for a long time period when utilized in a class for emotionally disturbed and learning disabled children was also investigated. Results indicated that while the token economy maintained its effectiveness in terms of increasing the frequency of target behaviors, the frequency of offtask or inappropriate behaviors also increased as the year progressed. Implications for using token economies with a special population are discussed.     

Enhancing students’s social and ethical development in schools: An intervention program and its effects

This chapter describes effects on students social and ethical attitudes and behaviors of a comprehensive elementary school program that was implemented in 12 elementary schools in six school districts in the United States over a four-year period, with an additional 12 schools serving as a comparison group. The program as a whole is designed to promote a sense of the school as a community. Data, collected in a baseline year and each of three program years, included classroom observations and student and teacher questionnaires. Data analyses showed variability both within and between schools in teacher changes from baseline to classroom program implementation. Positive effects on students’s sense of community and on several social/ethical variables were found for the five program schools that showed adequate changes in implementation. Structural equations modeling analyses of classroom-level data showed clear support for a model in which program effects on social-ethical outcomes for students were mediated through intervening linkages with program implementation and with the sense of community.     

Operant Conditioning in the Classroom Setting: A Review of the Research

Abstract

The purposes of this review were (a) to summarize the research following an applied behavioral analysis which has relevance for public school classrooms and (b) to discuss the problems and important considerations involved in an applied behavioral analysis of classroom behavior. Studies in this area are grouped into the following categories according to the nature of the reinforcement employed and assessed: (a) teacher attention, (b) peer attention, (c) token reinforcement, and (d) vicarious reinforcement. The problems of obtaining teacher cooperation, valid and reliable measurements, and confirmation of stimulus control through design of the experiment were discussed. Finally, the implications of these studies for classroom behavior control, as well as for future research, were explored     

Modifying socially withdrawn behavior: A playground intervention for students with internalizing behaviors

There is little research regarding interventions for children with internalizing behaviors in schools, both within classrooms and in nonclassroom environments. In response to this need, a nonclassroom treatment package, consisting of (a) social skills instruction, (b) mediated self‐management, and (c) a reinforcement system, was implemented to modify the socially withdrawn behavior of 3 elementary students. The effects of this treatment package were evaluated on the school playground—during recess—by recording both the number of communicative acts and the total time spent engaged in appropriate peer play for each target student. All target students showed marked improvement in their playground, social interaction. Future research should be conducted with similar populations, using variations of the described methods in other school settings. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Psychol Schs 44: 779–794, 2007.     

Blending Effective Behavior Management and Literacy Strategies for Preschoolers Exhibiting Negative Behavior

Sometimes students will exhibit various aggressive behaviors in the preschool classroom. Early childhood educators need to have behavior management strategies to manage the students’ negative behaviors within the classroom setting. This article will provide a rationale for embedding literacy instruction within behavior management strategies to assist preschool age students with negative behaviors. Three widely used classroom management strategies will be explained: group contingencies, anger management, and individualized behavior plans with differential reinforcement of other behaviors. Each strategy will have developmentally appropriate literacy skills infused into it. In conclusion, a suggestion will be given to early childhood educators on how to implement these blended management techniques.     

Nonaversive treatment of high-rate disruption: child and provider effects

A multiple baseline across three providers showed that each provider, using only differential reinforcement of incompatible behavior (DRI), substantially reduced high-rate out-of-seat behavior in a highly disruptive 4-year-old boy with severe disabilities. During the experiment, duration of the boy's in-seat behavior expanded from less than 1 min to 20 min. Furthermore, during the intervention, the providers' use of physical restraint decreased to near-zero levels, even though restraint and DRI could be used together. Although not specifically targeted, the boy's appropriate toy play also increased during DRI.     

Assessment of multiple behavioral procedures on academic and social classroom behavior

A set of behavioral procedures focusing on the academic and social behavior problems of a group of adolescent students was incorporated within the context of a regular school program. The procedures, which involved manipulating type and delay of reinforcement, teaching desirable behaviors that were self-reinforcing or that others would readily reinforce, and training in several skills that are prerequisite to selfcontrol, were implemented in several classrooms through an independent grouporiented contingency system. These students performed significantly better than a matched control group with respect to grade-point average, class grades, school attendance, and length of time absent due to suspension. Changes in the contingency system throughout the year yielded differential effects on three behavioral measures: class attendance, assignments completed, and classroom behavior. The significance of these findings is discussed, and suggestions are made for future research efforts.     

Effects of professional group membership,intervention type,and diagnostic label on treatment acceptability

Differences in ratings of treatment acceptability among groups of individuals who are often involved in the recommendation, selection, implementation, and evaluation of behavioral interventions in educational settings were examined. Teachers, school psychologists, and school social workers were presented with a vignette of a 3rd grade student exhibiting a pattern of disruptive problem behavior. The vignette was held constant but diagnostic labels (LD, BD, ADD) and interventions (verbal praise and token economy program versus time out from reinforcement program and verbal praise) for the child in the vignette were varied. After examining the vignette, participants rated the acceptability of the interventions. There was a significant interaction for professional group membership by intervention type on ratings of treatment acceptability. No significant effects of diagnostic label occurred. Implications of the present study and future research directions are discussed. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

The effects of dependent and interdependent group contingencies on socially appropriate responses in classes for emotionally handicapped children

The effects of group dependent and group interdependent reinforcement contingencies on the level of socially appropriate behaviors emitted by emotionally handicapped elementary school students were examined. The investigation employed an ABAC design with a systematic replication (ACAB) across a second classroom. The findings suggested that: (a) Both group dependent and group interdependent reinforcement contingencies were effective in incieasing the level of socially appropriate behaviors. (b) For Classroom II, group interdependent reinforcement contingencies more often resulted in higher rates of responding for individual subjects than did group dependent reinforcement contingencies. (c) Group interdependent contingencies were shown to set the occasion for cooperative behavior among class members designed to help each other achieve individual but interdependent goals.     

Teacher as token dispenser: Effect of an observer

Data were collected on rate per minute of administering token reinforcement for one male and six female teachers enrolled in a behavior modification course. Data were obtained from record cards maintained by pupils for tokens received during an observer-present condition and for an observer-absent condition. Comparison of reinforcement rates for observer-present vs. absent indicated significantly higher rates of token delivery (p <.025) in the observer-present condition. The observer effect has important implications for those programs in which assessment procedures introduce an observer into the classroom to collect data on changes in teacher behavior.     

The effects of teacher-delivered social reinforcement on the task persistent behavior of educable mentally retarded children

The effects of teacher-delivered social reinforcers on the task persistent behavior of children enrolled in an intermediate class for the educable mentally retarded were studied. These children were grouped with a regular fourth grade class during a social studies period in which the study was conducted. The special education children were randomly divided into two groups, with seven children in each group. Using a reversal design, social reinforcers were delivered contingent upon the task persistent behavior of the seven target children. The seven youngsters in the control, or nonreinforcement, group were essentially ignored as they engaged in appropriate task-related behaviors. The results clearly show that increases in the level of task persistent behavior and the administration of social reinforcement were functionally related. The level of task persistent behavior emitted by the control children was not affected by reinforcement delivered to their peers.     

An analysis of assignment completion and accuracy across time under fixed, variable, and extended token exchange periods in a classroom token economy

This research investigated the effects of employing fixed, variable, and extended token exchange periods for backups on the completion and quality of daily assignments of a total fifth- and sixth-grade class. The results indicated a higher percentage of assignments was completed when the number of days between point exchanges was variable, and that performance was maintained when the number of school days between point exchanges was gradually increased. The overall accuracy on assignments was high, but varying, and did not appear to be under the systematic control of the experimental procedures. Data for all pupils indicated that there were individual differences as to the effects of the various token (point) exchange procedures. Pupils with inconsistent assignment completion during Fixed Exchange Conditions (Fixed Period (FP-I, -II, -III) increased their assignment completion during the Variable Token Exchange Procedures (Variable Period (VP)-I, -II, -III). Thus, the variable sequencing of the number of days should be an important consideration in any effort to maintain the positive effects of token-reinforcement systems within classroom settings.