The purpose of the present study was to assess the effects of a professional development program on sixth grade teachers' use of social dynamics management (SDM) practices. SDM practices represent teachers' active attempts to incorporate classroom social dynamics into everyday instructional and behavior management strategies. Sixth grade teachers…

Social impairment represents one of the most challenging core deficits of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and greatly affects children's school experiences; however, few evidence-based social engagement programs have been implemented and sustained in schools. This pilot study examined the implementation and sustainment of a social engagement…

The authors present the impact of the Métis Settlements Life Skills Journey facilitator training program. Community members, aged 16 to 32, were hired and trained to lead youth summer camps. It was hypothesized that participation in the program and employment as facilitators would have a positive impact on their individual resilience. The program…

Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) display impairments in social interactions and communication that appear at early ages. Fewer social engagements of children with ASD with peers often lead to long-term negative outcomes, such as social isolation and restricted language and cognitive skills. Although there is a clear need for social…

The concept and the activities of nurturing are vital to the teacher education classroom. It is essential that student teachers have the ability to understand their own students' connection to learning and thus to the need those students have for a particular and indispensable form of sustenance. Nurturing unites identity and subject matter…

This article promotes a psychosocial perspective that proposes that relational activities are an enriching factor in pupils' social learning. This study offers a model of intervention, using activities that promote peer-relations among preschoolers. The activities share several characteristics including: (a) being designed to be appropriate for…

Research supports the difficulties that students with Asperger's Syndrome (AS) and High-Functioning Autism (HFA) have in developing successful interpersonal relationships. While they want to establish friendships, students with AS fail to recognize and accurately interpret social cues and verbal and nonverbal behavior (Iovannone, Dunlap, Huber, &…

The authors describe a process, a social integration program, for promoting social development of autistic children which brings normal peers (second and third graders) to the special setting. Steps for planning the play session are given and guidelines for play session structure are offered. (SBH)

A Pennsylvania school received a grant to participate in GATEWAYS, a state-sponsored initiative to help local districts provide quality programs for students with moderate to severe disabilities. GATEWAYS' outstanding feature is its peer buddy program, which has significantly improved both the Buddies' and special-needs students' interpersonal…

Children, aged 10-12, were referred to an outpatient mental health center because of behavior problems, some involving social skill deficits, others not so involved. Children acknowledging a social skill problem, and a desire to do something about it, were chosen pending parent approval and cooperation. Prior to participation in the group,…

An assertiveness training program was adapted for elementary school children. Five girls were trained to overcome their passiveness. An evaluation of their behavior before and after the training showed a significant increase in their assertive behavior due to the training. (SE)

Outlines a three-stage training program that focuses on teaching a limited set of skills to children for use in conflict resolution. Stages include readiness activities, skill training, and structured generalization. Results indicate peers and teachers have observed improvement in children who participated in the program. (Author/JAC)

Inclusion behavior refers to associations between people in groups. It recognizes individuals by including them in group activity such as getting acquainted, relaxing, or just having fun. Activities are suggested for use in the classroom or training session as well as in social situations. (JAC)

Describes the Summer Treatment Program (STP), a comprehensive sports training and treatment program for students with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder. STP incorporates social-skills training, academic instruction, parent training, and medication evaluation. STP has been shown to be highly successful and its principles can be transferred…

The Stratford School (Highland Park, Illinois), a public day school program serving primarily a population of 3-to-21-year-old trainable mentally handicapped students, established a program whereby students with autistic characteristics (who were previously placed in self-contained, homogeneous classes) would be integrated with non-autistic…