Discusses the difficulties many students with learning and attention-related disabilities have in dealing with classroom transitions. Short case studies are provided to show how behavior problems escalate when effective teaching methods are not utilized to ease transitions, and several transition techniques are suggested. (Author/CR)

Discusses the "communication hypothesis" of problem behavior and describes methods for determining the communicative functions served by problem behavior. Reports on application of functional assessment and functional communication training with toddlers. (DB)

Minor disagreements can quickly escalate when a child feels threatened with losing face or fears retaliation. Peer-mediation programs can help students refocus their energies while learning communication skills they can use in other situations. The benefits of an Oregon elementary school's peer-mediation program are discussed. (MLH)

Describes collaborative behavioral contracting as applied to the reintegration of students with disabilities, using as an example the case of a 13-year old who had been in a self-contained program for students with emotional and/or behavioral disorders. Covers the development of a behavior management plan, writing the collaborative behavioral…

Presents a "Decision Tree" process for structuring team decision making and problem solving about specific student behavioral goals. The Decision Tree involves a sequence of questions/decisions that can be answered in "yes/no" terms. Questions address reasonableness of the goal, time factors, importance of the goal, responsibilities, safety,…

Discusses how one journalism instructor deals with disruptive students in her reporting, communication history, and ethics courses. Lists reasons for students' disenchantment. Notes that sometimes humor eases tensions. Addresses building respect in the college classroom. (RS)

Highlights collaborative practices from fields of family therapy and educational psychology to facilitate conferences on children's behavior problems between parents and child caregivers and teachers. Illustrates stages of collaborative conversations: establishing trust; inviting parents to collaborate; discovering and stating mutual goals;…

Hypothesized that parenting exhibits either a compensatory or buffering effect on age-related increases in adolescent internalizing and externalizing problems. Collected data for five years from mothers, fathers, and adolescent children. Found significant gender differences in growth trajectories of externalizing and internalizing problems.…

Suggests that attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is frequently misdiagnosed and provides an alternative way of viewing such problem behaviors in children. Presents a framework that views childrens' behaviors within the context of the parent/child attachment patterns and suggests interventions that shift the focus from the child to the…

Assessed main and collateral effects of the assessment and treatment of attention-maintained self-injury, with regard to four categories of behavior: self-injury, a novel mand, pre-existing prosocial responses, and other aberrant responses. Results suggest that self-injury, prosocial responses, and other abberant behaviors are within the same…

Examined association between maternal responsiveness during infancy and middle-childhood behavior problems. Found that responsiveness was significantly associated with disruptive behavior problems but unrelated to attention problems. Absence of MRes during infancy increased risk of later disruptive behavior problems, even with concurrent parenting…

As this story about a mischievous, underachieving 10th grader shows, meeting standards and showing caring, compassion, and respect are not mutually exclusive. Unless students experience a positive, supportive climate, some may never achieve minimal standards or realize their full potential. The author later discovered she had inspired Eugene to…

Parents whose learning-disabled son committed suicide after being suspended (without notice) sued the school district for violating the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and their 14th Amendment due-process rights. They won summary judgment on the IDEA claim, but lost the school liability claim. The case will be retried. (MLH)

Explores the social and legal climates that have promoted disorder in many schools. In the current educational environment, students have rights that were not applicable in earlier eras. In addition, disciplinary practices for students in special education are having an impact on discipline strategies for other students. Describes court decisions…

Explores explanations for interpersonal problems experienced by children with attention-deficit hyperactivity. Presents potentially relevant social skills training programs. Suggests that multimodal programs that rely on parent training, school-based anger-control, medication, academic skills tutoring, attributional retraining and perspective…