This article offers a computerized concept-mapping program that can be used to display information gathered about a student with behavior problems as part of the functional behavior assessment process required by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act Amendments of 1997. Application in one Florida school district is described. (Contains…

A study involving 247 adults with intellectual disability living in group homes, and semi-independent and independent apartments, found residents' personal and behavioral characteristics explained more of the variance of total lifestyle satisfaction than the living arrangement. Participants who did not need mobility assistance or has less problem…

Examined how peer acceptance and friendships moderated the link between family adversity and child externalizing behavioral problems. Found that peer acceptance in kindergarten and Grade 1 moderated the relationship between family adversity measures and externalizing behavior problems in Grade 2; friendship served as a moderator for harsh…

Examines the relationship between elementary school teachers' perceptions of control and the effects on behavior problems. Reports that teachers saw family and student-related factors as causes for problem behavior while rejecting school related factors. States that teachers felt in control in three specific areas: personal efficacy, interpersonal…

Analyzed 1992 and 1998 data from National Longitudinal Study of Youth to investigate effect of maternal marital status on maternal reports of behavior problems in African American adolescents. Found that maternal marital status did not have a significant relationship with maternal reports of behavior problems. However, mothers in married families…

Twenty children with severe interactional and communication difficulties at age 2 underwent a comprehensive assessment for autism, and were reassessed at age 4-5. Diagnosis of autistic spectrum disorders at age 2 was found to be reliable and stable. Children whose social scores deteriorated tended to have had more behavior problems. (Contains…

Examines how sensory integration disorders contribute to behavioral difficulties in young children and how considering the neurological underpinnings to behavior problems can help to clarify their origins and lead to obtaining appropriate and effective help. Lists signs of sensory integration disorders. Delineates techniques to use when a child…

Applied a semiparametric mixture model to a sample of 284 low-income boys to model developmental trajectories of overt conduct problems from ages 2 to 8. Identified four trajectories: persistent problem, high-level desister, moderate-level desister, and persistent low. Initially high and low groups were differentiated in early childhood by high…

This study examined fourth- and fifth-grade girls' cognitions of their relationally aggressive peers as a function of their own relationally aggressive and sociometric status. Findings indicated that relationally aggressive girls tended to display a relatively cautious and wary social cognitive style in relationally provocative social situations.…

Data from 278 children (ages 18-35 months) were used to norm the Language Development Survey (LDS) and the Child Behavioral Checklist. Vocabulary scores increased markedly with age, were higher in girls, and were modestly correlated with socioeconomic level. Correlations between LDS scores and checklist problem scores were low. (Contains…

This study explored perceptions of nine adults with cognitive disabilities and/or autism regarding barriers and solutions experienced due to problem behavior and elicited suggestions for improving quality of life while reducing problem behavior. Emergent themes included communication difficulties, need for privacy and personal decision making, and…

Studied the role of pubertal development on depression, externalizing behavior problems, self-esteem, and body-image of 951 Mexican early adolescents. Findings show that the acute experience of menarche adversely affected the psychological well-being of girls, specifically in terms of depressive symptomatology. Pubertal change in boys did not…

This article discusses the criteria for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), the prevalence of ADHD, the adverse consequences of having ADHD that justifies its treatment, the best treatment for ADHD, adverse consequences of using the stimulant class of medications to treat ADHD, and the under diagnosis, rather than over diagnosis, of…

In order to understand and evaluate the continued prevalence of corporal punishment in school systems, this article reviews the following topics: (1) historical issues; (2) current demographics and correlates; (3) the effectiveness of corporal punishment in school settings; (4) myths; (5) alternatives to corporal punishment; and (6) social policy.…

A five-step curriculum adaptation model to meet learning and behavior needs is presented, involving (1) determine need for curricular adaptations, (2) identify elements requiring adaptation, (3) select teaching and behavior management techniques, (4) implement curricular adaptations, and (5) monitor progress of adaptations. (JDD)