The University of Nevada Cooperative Extension and a geographically large rural school district in Nevada conducted a program providing life-skills education to high-risk 5th graders. A survey of 92 8th- and 10th-grade students who had participated in the program indicated that the program produced long-term benefits in student attitudes and…

This discussion of the effects on young children with disabilities of the 1996 Welfare Reform Act, also known as the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act, notes the lack of good data for accurately assessing the service-delivery problem. Stresses the importance of Local Interagency Coordinating Councils in designing…

A study identified the perceptions of six college students with visual impairments on what influenced their social activity on campus. It found influences were different for visually-impaired students than for traditional students. The need to intervene in the social development of students with visual impairments before college is stressed.…

Uses an achievement-goal framework to examine changes in students' motivation for reading and writing (a longitudinal study involving 431 students in grades 3 through 5) and to evaluate a classroom-intervention project. Finds that, as teachers provided more opportunities for students to complete challenging, collaborative, and multiday…

Discusses 100-year-old debate about the primary function of the social work profession: to seek social reform or to provide individual treatment. Uses debate format to argue that these need not be mutually exclusive and divisive, and that they are increasingly evident in social work education and practice. (Author/JDM)

Discusses the use of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) to enhance comprehension and expression of people with autism. A theoretical model for AAC assessment and intervention is presented and illustrated with a case study of a 6-year-old boy with autism and severe expressive and receptive language impairments. (Author/DB)

Examines developments in early language intervention within a framework of general early special education and early intervention. Reviews models of language and communication intervention in terms of efficacy, parent/child interaction research, and parallels with early-intervention models. Offers guidelines based on the literature concerning…

First Step to Success is used at the outset of a child's school career, when making changes in antisocial behavior is easiest. The short-term program provides positive reinforcement for desirable behaviors and has a home component that draws on parent support. Sidebar profiles programs that promote positive behaviors in older children: Project…

Describes two creative drama programs designed to improve peer-relations skills of early adolescents in classrooms. Discusses the utility of creative drama programs in relation to improved peer relations, staff training, and practical program evaluation. School social workers might find that this approach can be an effective modality for…

Recent initiatives such as PL99-457 and Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA) require school psychologists to broaden their knowledge base in areas critical to problematic development in early childhood. This mini-series is designed to assist school psychologists in provisions of collaboration with other health professionals to enhance efficacy…

Describes a treatment classroom for emotionally disturbed adolescents. Examines staff roles and responsibilities and the interventions and counseling techniques used to alter maladaptive behaviors and emotions. Explores the functional relationship between education and counseling, and discusses the interactions and interdependence of client,…

A study examined the impact of functional assessment interventions on appropriate and challenging behaviors of 75 typical children (ages 3-6), 60 children at-risk, and 75 children with special needs. Functional assessment procedures resulted in a decrease in challenging behavior and nonengagement and an increase in active engagement and peer…

Investigated how Soviet immigrant families in Israel perceive situations of child maltreatment. Found that families indicated that parents' behavior was unacceptable in cases of neglect or abuse; even when child behavior was unacceptable that parents' behavior was not legitimate. There was a low level of willingness to involve people from outside…

This article describes the Pride in Parenting Group Intervention Curriculum, developed as part of a multicomponent intervention with a population of indigent African American women and their infants. Exit interviews with 57 mothers indicated parent satisfaction was high for developmental and parenting information and for the support of the group…

A study investigated the effectiveness of a 9-week collaborative metacognitive social skills intervention program on 16 middle school students attending a private, alternative suburban school for students with learning problems. The program used cooperative learning, role play, and art therapy to improve the students' social problem-solving…