The present study utilized multiple-baseline and multi-probe across participants designs to measure both fidelity and efficacy of caregivers as primary interventionists when using trial-based functional analysis (TBFA) procedures. Participants included any caregiver of a child with a medical or educational diagnosis of autism and challenging behavior. Caregiver fidelity of implementation of TBFA procedures was measured across three phases: baseline, training, and independent implementation or generalization. Within the implementation phase, caregivers independently conducted TBFAs on their respective children within the home setting. Fidelity, efficacy, and social validity across each participant were measured. Each caregiver was able to reach fidelity during the training phase, and three out of five caregivers were able to identify a clear behavior function for their child's behavior within the implementation phase of the study. Social validity was evaluated. Results indicate that caregivers may be able to supplement traditional interventionists during the TBFA process. Implications for future practice are reviewed.

A randomized controlled trial study was conducted to test the effectiveness of 16 sessions of the modalities of individual and group child-centered play therapy (CCPT) on improving social-emotional assets, including self-regulation/responsibility, social competence, and empathy. Participants were 56 students in four urban elementary schools in north central Texas, referred by teachers for disruptive or problematic behavior: 10 female and 46 male; ages 5 to 10 years with mean age 7.12; and 21 identifying as Hispanic, 17 as White, 8 as Multiracial, 1 as Asian, and 9 unspecified. Teachers and parents completed the Social and Emotional Assets and Resilience Scale (SEARS; Merrill, 2011) at pre- and post-treatment. With a significance criterion of p< .05, teacher reports provided no statistically significant results. However, parent reports indicated a statistically and practically significant interaction effect with a medium to large effect size, indicating a substantial improvement in children's scores from pre- to post-test attributed to group assignment. Mean differences indicated substantial gains in overall social-emotional assets, according to Total scores, in both individual and group treatment conditions as compared to the waitlist control group. Additionally, both individual and group play therapy was correlated with significant improvement with a large effect for the constructs of self-regulation/responsibility and social competence, with the group condition having a larger effect than the individual condition. Regarding empathy, neither modality resulted in significant improvement, though individual CCPT resulted practically in a large effect. These results indicate CCPT may provide a developmentally appropriate treatment for clinicians working with children in schools and in the community to foster their social and emotional competencies.

A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Community Psychology in the Department of Psychology at the University of Zululand, 2004. / The general aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness of the psychological intervention programs in the two schools of industries (SOf's) namely, Mimosadafe and Newcastle Schools of Industries. A third school, Bersig SOI was used for piloting the study and the results were incorporated in the main study findings. Twenty-seven educators, one social worker and one consulting clinical psychologist, and sixty-one learners participated in the study. The major findings of the study were as follows: the psychological intervention programs at SOI's are ineffective; learners are benefiting only partially by being at SOI's. According to educators, learners are benefiting partially because they bunk classes, reconstruction social workers are not supportive, Department of Education is not supportive, no follow up programs for learners post-SOl, emphasis is placed only on structure - not therapeutic programs. Only 15% of educators were found to be adequately trained to teach at SOI. Although psychological intervention programs exist at SOI's, they are not structured and they are only administered on a need-to-basis (reactive rather than proactive/preventive). Intervention strategies used at SOI's are based on individualistic, reactive, traditional mainstream psychology that is based on a disease/medical model. Based on these findings, the current study suggested a change of intervention strategies at these schools into strategies based on community psychological methods of intervention, ft was also suggested that the non-mental health professionals e.g. teachers and house parents should be involved in conducting psychological intervention. To be equal to this challenge these non-professionals should be trained.

The literature demonstrates that children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) often experience peer rejection as a result of their difficulties with interpersonal interactions. The manner in which children with ADHD process social information and the extent to which social difficulties may adversely impact these children has remained unclear. In the first part of the study, the perceptions of social support between boys (ages 7 to 11 years) with and without ADHD were compared. An analysis of variance procedure (ANOVA) was performed and children with ADHD were found to perceive significantly lower levels of social support from their classmates than normal peers at pretreatment. The groups did not differ significantly with regard to perceptions of parent, teacher, and close friend support. In the second part of the study, the role of ADHD parent training and its effectiveness in decreasing problem-behaviors, ameliorating social problems, and enhancing perceptions of social support was examined. Repeated measures MANOVAs revealed a significant rater (mother and teacher) by time (pretreatment and posttreatment) interaction effect for total behavior problems, externalizing behavior problems, internalizing behavior problems, and social problems. On each scale, mothers reported more behavior problems than teachers at pretreatment, but fewer problems than teachers at posttreatment assessment. Main effects were not detected. ANOVAs performed on social support ratings by children with ADHD demonstrated a significant increase in their perceptions of parental support between pretreatment and posttreatment. Children's ratings of teacher, close friend, and classmate support did not differ significantly between pretreatment and posttreatment. The findings suggest that children with ADHD are socially perspicacious and sensitive to subtle changes within their social support systems. The parent training program appeared to help with the amelioration of problem behaviors in the home, but results did not indicate generalization of improvements to the classroom. Implications of the findings were discussed and suggestions were made for providing assistance to children with ADHD.

The purpose of this study was to add to the limited amount of information on the effectiveness of play therapy interventions in a school-based counseling program. The study focused on examining the reasons why clients were referred to counseling, the frequency and duration of their behavior, the clients' academic performance at the beginning and end of treatment, the total number of sessions received, and the type of play therapy that was used to determine how effective play therapy interventions were during treatment.

Educational Studies / (M.Tech. (Inclusive Education))

This study was undertaken in order to investigate negative classroom behaviour in schools in Botswana. Recommendations based on the findings of the study were made to the participating schools and interested stakeholders. A qualitative approach was adopted to investigate the research questions in four schools selected for the study. The data collection methods used were observation, document analysis, participant interviews and focus group interviews. Participant and research site confidentiality was ensured and all interviews were transcribed and organised in such a way that the key points pertinent to the study were highlighted. This study provided valuable information for future studies investigating disruptive classroom behaviour and intervention methods. / Educational Foundations / M. Ed. (Socio-Education)

Educational Studies / (M.Tech. (Inclusive Education))

This study was undertaken in order to investigate negative classroom behaviour in schools in Botswana. Recommendations based on the findings of the study were made to the participating schools and interested stakeholders. A qualitative approach was adopted to investigate the research questions in four schools selected for the study. The data collection methods used were observation, document analysis, participant interviews and focus group interviews. Participant and research site confidentiality was ensured and all interviews were transcribed and organised in such a way that the key points pertinent to the study were highlighted. This study provided valuable information for future studies investigating disruptive classroom behaviour and intervention methods. / Educational Foundations / M. Ed. (Socio-Education)

The purpose of this study is to examine if school or community characteristics correlate with suspensions and expulsions. The data examined in this study were drawn from Riverside County schools. The schools were examined to determine if school or social disorganization characteristics correlate with suspension and expulsion rates.