We set out to create a middle grades program and to inform the field about the perceptions of our teacher candidates on teaching middle school. To accomplish these twin goals, we sought to better understand our teacher candidates' perceptions of teaching middle school and how these perceptions might be changed if necessary. Our review of research…

One of the deficits observed in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is impaired imaginative play. One form of imaginative play common in many typically developing (TD) children is having an imaginary companion (IC). The occurrence of ICs has not been investigated extensively in children with ASD. We examined differences in parent report of IC between…

The psychological autopsy and its use in studying the suicides of three adolescents at a school for gifted students are described in this article. Positive and negative effects of autopsy interviews are discussed, as is the importance of confidentiality. A sample interview protocol is provided for psychological autopsy researchers. (Author/PB)

The Knowledge of Child Development Inventory (KCDI), which is appended, is a 56-item multiple choice test of knowledge of child development from birth to age three. Test items were based on authoritative materials covering the cognitive, physical, emotional, and social development of young children. The KCDI was meant to be appropriate for use…

Noting the increase in false accusations of child sexual abuse where divorce and custody litigation is in progress, this book examines the consequences of such accusations for everyone involved and provides defensive strategies for those falsely accused. The book draws on four case studies, including a personal one, to illustrate the chronology…

The primary purpose of this study was to assess the test-retest reliability of the Junior Self-Monitoring Scale (JSMS) for use with elementary school children. Subjects were 28 first, 30 third, and 24 fifth graders attending an elementary school in Corvallis (Oregon). The JSMS consists of 24 yes/no items and is scored in the direction of high…

Due to the overuse of physical containment within the agency where this practicum study was conducted, an in-service training program was designed and implemented aimed at better preparing staff to de-escalate aggressive behavior. A three hour training session and a conclusive one-and-a-half hour long testing period (involving lecture, role play,…