Discusses a wilderness camp program for children with behavioral problems and provides recommendations for applying the program ideas in a public school setting, including group huddles for problem solving, goal-oriented living and learning, quiet time for rest and reflection, allowing transition time, and partnering adversaries. (Author/CR)

A study of 36 students (ages 12-17) with behavior/emotional disorders in a residential school examined the effects of three types of in-school suspension programs on disruptive classroom behavior and the impact of classroom management. Results found no apparent effects of the in-school suspension interventions on classroom disruptive behavior.…

Consumer satisfaction and social validity were measured during a double-blind, placebo-controlled evaluation of risperidone in treating aberrant behaviors of persons with developmental disabilities. A survey showed all 17 caregivers felt participation was positive. Community members (n=52) also indicated that when on medication, the 5 participants…

Use of a family systems conceptualization in educational programing for behavior disordered students can improve program effectiveness and complement other effective classroom interventions. Changing support staff roles is recommended. For example, school psychologists coordinate family counseling services with ongoing educational programs instead…

Operant and cognitive behavior modification procedures were used to decrease impulsive aggressive responding by six hyperaggressive children, aged 7-11, in interpersonal problem situations. The procedures sought to improve participants' alternative response repertoires and develop internal speech as a self-control mechanism. Compared to controls,…

Using data from three sites, a study examined service use and expenditures under systems-of-care. The sites provided children with a full range of mental health services. Per-child expenditures were high, but for two sites, those expenditures were within the range of expenditures in other innovative attempts at service delivery. (Contains…

This article describes the implementation and evaluation of a classwide peer-assisted self-management (CWPASM) program based on its feasibility, acceptability, and effects on three classes of seventh-grade students and across 10 targeted at-risk students. Teachers and students enjoyed the program and found it effective in improving behavior and…

This article describes a points-and-levels system to improve behavior of students with learning and behavioral disabilities in an upper-elementary special education setting. The four levels each involved specified responsibilities and privileges and students earned specified numbers of points to qualify for a "successful day" and eventual…

This article reviews the psychopharmacological treatment of aggression, mood disturbances, and self-injurious behavior in persons with autistic disorder. It highlights the use of dopaminergic drugs, serotonergic drugs, opioidergic drugs, adrenergic drugs, thymoleptic drugs, and glutamatergic drugs for their potential utility in treating…

Evaluation of the Early Screening Project in a Head Start classroom-wide mental health identification and intervention over a 12- week period found that eight children identified as being at high risk for emotional/behavioral disorders prior to intervention either significantly improved or maintained their pre-intervention functioning. No…

Describes a successful school and classroom enhancement package specifically designed to prevent the development of serious antisocial behavior in children. Details the critical school-based processes related to the emergence of antisocial behavior that guide the intervention design and some preliminary positive outcome data on program…

A long-established agency for troubled children was following a philosophy based on behavioral control and treatment of pathology. As staff examined their beliefs about the process of change, the climate evolved from enforcing behavior control to empowering youth to develop positive strengths. A charter school was created and new behavior…

This set of transparency masters provides information on a study of 52 adolescents with behavior disorders. The study assessed the value of teaching basic reading skills to at-risk 8th- to 10th-graders who were reading below the 4th grade level. Students were divided into three groups based on IQ level. The adolescents attended a foundation course…

These symposium papers describe various aspects of the Camp Logan, South Carolina, program, a therapeutic summer residential program for children, ages 8-14, who have significant behavior problems. The philosophy and advantages of the therapeutic camping model are discussed, e.g., structure during the summer, controlled though informal…

This issue of the quarterly publication focuses on Fostering Success in School and Beyond for Students with Emotional/Behavioral Disorders. Editorial introduction notes that today's K-12 educators must effectively work with increasingly diverse populations in their classrooms, including educating students identified as having emotional/behavioral…