Competency-based training for severely behaviorally handicapped children and their parents.

Area of Science:

• Behavioral psychology
• Special education
• Child development

Background:

• Severely behaviorally handicapped children require specialized interventions.
• Integration into regular or special education classrooms is a primary goal.
• Effective treatment programs necessitate structured approaches and parent involvement.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the components of a treatment program for severely behaviorally handicapped children.
• To detail procedures used in specific treatment centers.
• To identify major trends in program development.

Main Methods:

• Description of procedures at the Day School Learning and Treatment Center.
• Outline of the Parent Training Program at the Judevine Center for Autistic Children.
• Explanation of criteria for acceptance, assessment systems, training techniques, and follow-up methods.

Main Results:

• The paper details the structure and components of the described treatment program.
• Specific methodologies for assessment, training, and follow-up are presented.
• Five major trends in the program's evolution are delineated.

Conclusions:

• The described program components provide a framework for treating severely behaviorally handicapped children.
• The integration of parent training is a key element for successful outcomes.
• Understanding program development trends can inform future interventions.