Biomedical subjects

F R Robbins

Publications and source records attributed to F R Robbins.

4 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed1994

Parents' reports of their children's challenging behaviors: results of a statewide survey.

Parents of children with autism and related disabilities were surveyed about their children's challenging behaviors and resources they felt would be helpful in managing these behaviors. Responses indicated a high frequency of challenging behaviors, including many aggressive and other destructive behaviors occurring more frequently than once per day. Teachers, family members, and published materials were identified as the most helpful of currently available resources; contingency management, as the most successful management approach. Respondents noted many additional needed resources. Results were discussed in relation to continuing research on families' needs, strengths, and judgments pertaining to the demands related to disabilities and challenging behaviors.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1992

Consistent stress profiles in mothers of children with autism.

The present study extends the area of research on stress in parents of autistic children. In this study we used the Questionnaire on Resources and Stress (Holroyd, 1987) to compare the stress profiles across mothers (a) who lived in different cultural and geographic environments; (b) who had children of different ages; and (c) who had children with different functioning levels. Results showed a characteristic profile that was highly consistent across each of these subgroups. Major differences from the normative data occurred on scales measuring stress associated with dependency and management, cognitive impairment, limits on family opportunity, and life-span care. Results suggest the importance of developing treatment programs aimed at reducing stress in specific areas in families with autistic children.

Activities of Daily Living↗

PubMed1992

Effects of task difficulty on parent teaching skills and behavior problems of young children with autism.

Responses of 15 young children with autism and their mothers were analyzed as these families proceeded through a program of skill training and family support. The influence of task difficulty on the children's behavior problems and on the mother's teaching skills was evaluated at three distinct points over a one-year period. Results showed that (a) behavior problems were significantly reduced and teaching skills were significantly improved over the course of training and (b) the difficulty of the task was related to behavior problems and teaching skills. Findings were discussed in relation to implications for assessment and intervention with young children who have autism.

Autistic Disorder↗

PubMed1991

Functional assessment, curricular revision, and severe behavior problems.

An adolescent female with multiple handicaps and a long history of severely disruptive behavior participated in a functional assessment linked directly to specific revisions in her school curriculum. During Phase 1, reversal designs were used to test hypotheses pertaining to antecedent and curricular influences on problem behavior. During Phase 2, a multiple baseline across afternoon and morning time periods demonstrated that the curricular revisions were effective in eliminating severely disruptive behavior and increasing on-task responding. Data also showed that inappropriate "psychotic" speech was reduced and appropriate social interactions were increased. Follow-up results showed that the changes were maintained throughout the school year. Questionnaire data provided social validation of the procedures and outcomes. The findings are discussed in relation to their implications for functional assessment, individualized curricula, and positive programming for students with disabilities and serious behavior problems.

Achievement↗