This study, based on observation of 28 children with autism in an integrated preschool, explored whether differing levels of autistic behavior were associated with the presence of nondisabled children or with the presence of other children with autism. Results indicated significantly decreased levels of autistic behavior corresponding to the close…

Three peer caregivers with moderate mental retardation worked to improve the occupation level of a passive man with profound mental retardation. The peer caregivers carried out meaningful activities with the trainee for 15-minute periods. The trainee received social reinforcement; the caregivers received tangible reinforcement. Use of multiple…

Comparison of the social interactions of nine children with visual impairments and a comparison group of nine children with full sight found that children with visual impairments were capable of interacting with others, but there were differences in the frequency of social initiations and the targets of these initiations. Results support…

Two children (ages seven and eight) with autism and moderate mental retardation, who engaged in stereotypic behavior, were studied to investigate the effects of social interaction with peers. Results found that when peers made social initiations and the children engaged in social interaction, collateral decreases occurred in their stereotypic…

The relative importance of factors such as student characteristics, prior contact with the other race, opportunity for contact in the present situation, and conditions of inter-racial contact are examined in order to determine how they predict the social outcomes of inter-racial contact in high schools. Multiple regression analyses are performed…