Today's complex issues require technical expertise as well as the application of innovative social science techniques within Extension contexts. Researchers have suggested that a social science approach will play a critical role in water conservation, and people who use home landscape irrigation comprise a critical target audience for agriculture…

Classroom management remains a challenge for many teachers. The approach and delivery of professional development (PD) in classroom management may determine how well teachers are able to apply evidence-based approaches in their classrooms. We use existing literature to identify the key features that make in-service PD effective and present them as…

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of using video modeling delivered through a portable media player (Apple video iPod) as a means of teaching job-related tasks to four young adults with autism spectrum disorders. The videos were enhanced by adding written instructions. Results indicated that using the iPod was associated…

This study explores changes in children's social skills after a cognitive-social skills model intervention. The intervention was conducted over a period of 12 weeks within a regular preschool setting. Sixteen children including four considered to have low social skills participated in the study. Data analysis revealed that the four children with…

"Educator or Bully?" offers a comprehensive approach to classroom management for both novice and veteran teachers who are interested in examining their current classroom management performance, especially with respect to how it reflects the characteristics of the 21st century classroom. Practices presented are based on sound educational theory.…

This article discussess assertiveness in the Black-White encounter. The author delineates the assertive options available to Blacks, distortions in interpretation of assertive messages, and strategies for more effective and efficient assertions. (Author)

A social skills training program using self-instruction to facilitate the acquisition and generalization of two social behaviors in the work setting effectively increased the percentages of occurrence of target behaviors for five mentally retarded employees working in a sheltered workshop. The training generalized across work settings. (Author/CB)

Seven children (ages 4 to 7) with autism were taught to engage in symbolic play using Pivotal Response Training. Children with autism rarely exhibited symbolic play before training, but after training they learned to perform complex and creative symbolic play at levels similar to that of language-matched controls. Interaction skills also improved…

This study investigated the effects of teaching sociodramatic scripts on interactions among three triads, each containing two typical preschool children and one child with autistic characteristics. Results supported the inclusion of systematic training of scripts to enhance interaction among children with and without disabilities during…

The combined effects of double-prompting and booster session procedures on the social behavior of four socially withdrawn preschool children were investigated. Results indicated that the intervention procedures increased subjects' initiations in organizing play, sharing, and assisting and that there were collateral increases in subjects'…

Ten mentally retarded clients in a small work activity center were effectively trained to use social amenities during work-related communications. Training consisted of prework review of the rules of social amenities, frequent reminders during work by supervisors, client repetition of the reminders, and focused practice. (Author/DB)

This paper proposes a definition of social skills in order to operationalize the components that need to be considered when teaching social skills to individuals with mental retardation in employment settings. It also presents current approaches to teaching social skills in employment settings. Social skills are defined as goal-oriented,…

Describes various complementary procedures for social skills training that are used in a day treatment program for emotionally disturbed adolescents. Describes: (1) procedures for dealing with peer conflict and disruptive behavior through the promotion of problem solving skills; and (2) procedures for teaching social skills within structured…

Discusses the importance of impression management, an individual's conscious attempt to exercise control over selected communicative behaviors and cues for purposes of making a desired impression. Provides a comprehensive conceptualization of the impression-management process, and demonstrates how this process can facilitate effective training of…

A training package consisting of instruction in role-play social behaviors, reinforcement of appropriate behaviors, and a correction procedure was used with 20 children (ages 7-13) with deafness and severe language disabilities. The training package was effective in increasing greeting, turn waiting, initiating interaction, and giving help; and…