A number of recent publications have highlighted the need for individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) to be offered "timely" and "appropriate" support in relation to the development of their social skills. One such reported method is the utilisation of social skills groups, although only a small evidence base currently exists demonstrating…

Six teenagers with Autistic Spectrum Disorders (ASDs) experienced a Virtual Environment (VE) of a cafe. They also watched three sets of videos of real cafe and buses and judged where they would sit and explained why. Half of the participants received their VE experience between the first and second sets of videos, and half experienced it between…

A review of research comparing behavior therapy with stimulant medication as treatment for hyperactive children is presented. It is concluded that behavior therapy seems to be a reasonable alternative or adjunct to medication for treating the social behavior problems of hyperactive children, although medication is noted to be slightly superior.…

A consumer-related social skills training program using card games, modeling, feedback, contingent reinforcement, and behavior rehearsal was effective in improving the interpersonal skills of four hearing impaired adolescents. Skills included responding to small talk, asking questions, criticizing a product or service, and responding to suggestive…

This paper examines whether a maximum security institution housing inmates can benefit from a pro-social cognitive skills class. The inmates were taught Cognitive Problem Solving Skills for Offenders (J. Taymans; S. Parese) to determine if the pro-social skills class had any effect on the number of infractions they accrued. All the participants…

Examines the effects of structured peer praise on the social involvement of 3 socially withdrawn children. Each child's teacher implemented Positive Peer Reporting (PPR), which consisted of rewarding classmates for publicly praising the social behavior of the participant during brief, daily sessions. Results indicated that PPR was effective for…

Background: School readiness, conceptualized as three components including emotional self-regulation, social competence, and family/school involvement, as well as absence of conduct problems play a key role in young children's future interpersonal adjustment and academic success. Unfortunately, exposure to multiple poverty-related risks increases…

One hundred fifty-four fourth graders took part in an investigation of the Open Circle Program (OCP), an intervention model that encourages students, teachers and administrators to learn and practice communication, self-control and social problem-solving skills. Eight classrooms, two in each of four schools, were sampled. Two of these schools were…

The topic of early intervention for autism is widely researched and discussed within the literature. The application of applied behavioral analysis (ABA) continues to be an important topic. Due to the extensive amount of research on behavioral treatments for autism, and its widespread practice, the focus of this paper will be based upon treatment…

Teacher response to intervention and unique impact on student outcomes was evaluated. Sixty-three lead and assistant early childhood educators from 14 Head Start programs participated in a randomized-controlled trial in which 40 teachers were assigned to participate in a classroom management program as part of a multicomponent conduct problem…

The present study reports on the effectiveness at one-year follow-up of an after-school prevention program targeting 6th grade African American youth residing in high-risk urban areas. The program, conducted on-site over the school-year period, involved a group mentoring approach emphasizing remedial education and an appreciation of African…

A demonstration program featured a mainstreamed setting for six hearing impaired children (five hard of hearing and one deaf) in 2nd and 3rd grades. A full time special education teacher used sign language and cotaught with the regular classroom teacher. Many of the problems encountered in the first year of the program were dealt with successfully…

Skill is the crucial element that turns knowledge into behaviors that succeed in the real world. Often "soft skills," such as management, leadership, interpersonal communications, and problem solving, vanish when people are on the job, indicating the need for more effective training programs. (JOW)

A review of 17 studies on tutoring behaviorally disordered students revealed that tutoring can have a positive effect on both the tutor's and the tutee's academic achievement and can increase social relations of the tutoring dyad as well as attitudes toward content area. However, ancedotal reports of improved general social functioning, are not…