This discussion concludes that personal choice cannot be used to distinguish between students with serious emotional disturbances or social maladjustment, a distinction required by federal legislation. Literature supporting this conclusion is reviewed, focusing on conduct problems and disorders, choosing maladjusted behavior, choosing a serious…

This study found significant relationships between measures of adaptive/maladaptive behavior and community adjustment in 239 adults with mild to severe mental retardation. Results provide evidence for the criterion-related validity of measures of adaptive/maladaptive behavior, and suggest the importance of such skills in community adaptation and…

Thirteen children (ages 3.1 to 5.2 years) referred for developmental delay and excessive eating (without obesity) were evaluated. Commonalities included being in foster care, prenatal drug exposure, and abnormally withdrawn and/or aggressive behavior. (Author/DB)

Task-related and social behaviors of preschool children (n=21) at risk for behavior problems were examined in two school settings, a structured instructional context and an unstructured free play context. Results indicated that group differences in on-task, aggressive, and prosocial behavior depended on context. (Author/DB)

Evaluation of knowledge and attitudes of 220 adolescents with severe emotional disturbances toward AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome) and HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) infection found most students knew the main modes of HIV transmission. Student age, race, and gender were related to level of knowledge and attitudes toward people with…

Examined impact of caregiving among 110 caregivers to aging family member with Alzheimer's disease. Family caregivers' appraisals along dimensions of subjective burden, negative impact, caregiving satisfaction, and caregiver mastery were correlated with extent of memory and behavior problems of patient and caregivers' coping style, locus of…

Examined the utility of a 2-step ecological model in predicting externalizing behavior among 144 African American seventh and eighth graders. Found that parental work environment and parental social support had an indirect impact on externalizing by influencing the microsystem variables of parental warmth, parental use of restrictive control, and…

Notes that working with students who have behavioral problems requires that professionals immunize themselves against burnout. Sees healthy adult mentoring as probably most salient human factor that helps at-risk youth make better choices. Contends that development of trust through bonding enables such youth to leave safety of their self-defeating…

Children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are often discipline problems, but their disruptive behavior is usually not willful or intentional. After describing the educational history of one person with ADHD, the article makes suggestions for disciplining children with ADHD in the classroom. (SM)

This paper describes research activities of the Positive Teaching Project, focusing on the nature of classroom behavior problems viewed by teachers as particularly troublesome, teachers' typical responses to classroom behavior, classroom behavior management strategies based on manipulation of antecedents and natural consequences, and training…

Parents rated their children on two behavioral rating scales that were designed to evaluate problem and antisocial behaviors. When rating only one child, parents agreed in rating sons' behaviors. Differences were found in mothers' and fathers' prosocial behavior ratings of daughters. When parents rated one child of each sex, no differences in…

Thirty-six fifth graders considered "disruptive" were rated with the ACCEPTS Placement Test, Walker-McConnell Scale of Social Competence and School Adjustment, and Matson Evaluation of Social Skills with Youngsters (self-report and teacher rating). The three teacher rating measures were strongly related, and students' self-ratings were…

This paper presents a decision-making model for comparing, choosing, and implementing social skills curricula that would be appropriate for specific students and settings. The model is structured around three curriculum areas (background, assessment, and instruction) and uses a cost-benefit analysis to assist in making modification decisions.…

This article discusses case studies of eight gifted/talented youths (one female) identified through an in-depth study of a rural alternative high school. All left or were expelled from regular schools for behavioral reasons. Many had drug/alcohol problems and/or criminal records. Postsecondary education and employment are described, as is program…

Three mentally retarded students (ages 9-12) who exhibited challenging behaviors to escape from academic demands and to receive social attention were taught alternative assistance-seeking and attention-getting phrases. Data indicated that the intervention reduced challenging behavior. The results transferred across settings, and were maintained 18…