Prevalence of children with emotional or behavioral disorders (EBD) is a critical component in the discussion of underidentification of children served in special education. This discussion has previously focused almost exclusively on point prevalence or the number of children with EBD presumably needing services at any single point in time.…

The emphasis or focus of a professional association often shifts imperceptibly over time in ways that neither its membership nor its leadership seems able to recognize until pivotal events compel it to do so. The historical shift from psychodynamic to behavioral approaches in special education for children with emotional or behavioral disorders…

Lack of progress of children with emotional disturbance (ED) has begun to be documented in longitudinal school-based studies. Variability in these studies may be due to several factors, including widespread differences in academic, behavioral, and social functioning of these children, their special education status, and school contextual factors.…

Variability in the social and behavioral characteristics of students with emotional disturbance (ED) in the public schools may impact special education effectiveness; yet very little evidence exists on how such variability may express itself from school to school. One place to begin such investigation involves school context as expressed by income…

The authors examined the academic characteristics of 140 elementary-aged students served under the category of emotional disturbance (ED) from schools that differed in income level, performance on state testing, and suspension rates. School income accounted for a large amount of the variance in the reading and math achievement of students with ED…

The process of psychiatric diagnosis has recently undergone major revision with the appearance of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual III (DSM III). The article examines the new system of multiaxial diagnoses in relation to existing special education categories. (Author)

Two achievement tests--the Peabody Individualized Achievement Test (PIAT) and the Comprehensive Test of Basic Skills (CTBS)--were administered to emotionally disturbed and behavior-disordered children in an inpatient psychiatric setting. The results of this study suggest that these two measures might be used interchangeably in every area but…

Focuses on social maladjustment exclusion in serious emotional disturbance criteria in Public Law 94-142, Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. Responds to earlier articles by Skiba and Grizzle in reaction to Slenovich's book, "PL 94-142 as Applied to DSM III Diagnoses" and Slenovich's response to articles. Addresses two aspects of debate…

A study of 64 single-subject studies examined effectiveness of social skills intervention with students with emotional or behavioral problems. The results of quantitative synthesis procedures that use a percentage of nonoverlapping data suggest that skills interventions had limited empirical support for their overall effectiveness. Implications…

Discusses the potential uses of psychopharmarcologic therapy with students who are diagnosed with autism, Tourette syndrome, or pervasive developmental disorders and who display learning, emotional, or behavioral disorders. Explores the possible benefits and known negative side effects associated with 10 classes of drugs used for such treatment.…

This paper describes an example of the use of early detection of emotional/behavioral disorders and a self-determination curriculum in the Head Start Program of Youth Development Incorporated in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The rationale for this approach is discussed and preliminary data on the program's effectiveness are presented. (Contains…

Findings indicated no significant differences in academic adjustment between Ss hospitalized for short vs. longer periods and better social adjustment for Ss hospitalized for shorter periods. The entire sample was rated as well as their classmates in academic achievement and only slightly less than classmates in social adjustment. (DB)

This article examines the possibility that a variety of other psychiatric disorders may be associated with conduct disorders in children, and these additional disorders may require very different interventions. Extrapolation of symptoms from classroom inattention or disruptive behavior and estimated prevalence are discussed. (Author/DB)

The Interagency Committee on Learning Disabilities' definition of learning disabilities implies that the presence of social skills deficits alone suffices for diagnosis, even in the absence of academic difficulties. Overlaps between this criterion and eligibility criteria for emotional disturbance are discussed along with implications for…