title: Positive behavioral intervention in children who were wards of the court attending a mainstream school.
abstract: This report looked at the effects of treatment using contingency contracts and token economy procedures in three children, two 14 yr. and one 8 yr., who were wards of the court and attending a mainstream school. Students presented problems of adaptation to school, such as making constant noises with the mouth, hands, or pencil on the desk; frequently emitted raucous cries in the classroom; destruction of school resource materials; verbal aggression to classmates and teachers; verbal rejection of all academic work, refusing to do it, making negative comments prior to starting any school activity, in addition to lack of motivation for undertaking school activities. A 4-mo. individual treatment using contingency contracts and token economy behavioral procedures was implemented, with several follow-up sessions. The results indicated an adaptation of behavior to the school environment, confirmed by teachers, significantly reducing the incidence of insults, the destruction of school materials, and indolence during class sessions. These students are at high risk for social exclusion. Interventions have potential social importance in possible prevention of adult criminality, increasing academic achievement, and decreasing social exclusion.
authors: Department of Psychology, University of Cadiz, Campus Rio San Pedro, Puerto Real-Cadiz, Spain. jose.navarro@uca.es
authors: Jose I
authors: JI
authors: Navarro
authors: Manuel
authors: M
authors: Aguilar
authors: Concepcion
authors: C
authors: Aguilar
authors: Concepcion
authors: C
authors: Alcalde
authors: Esperanza
authors: E
authors: Marchena
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D019958:Attention Deficit and Disruptive Behavior Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D001521:Behavior Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D002648:Child; D002653:Child Behavior Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D002670:Child, Abandoned / Q000523:psychology*; D032982:Contracts; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007604:Juvenile Delinquency / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D008282:Mainstreaming, Education; D008297:Male; D009042:Motivation; D012114:Residential Treatment; D012951:Socialization; D014040:Token Economy