Considers whether cultivation of true collaborative learning is a realistic ambition with very young children; analysis of the social dynamic suggests that it is well within the reach of children as a form of social exchange. Argues that the new technology offers a potential for supporting the development of collaborative learning in early…

Explored the perceptions of 13 Taiwanese mothers of 12-month-olds regarding the benefits of parent-infant interaction for development of social competence and parents' role in achieving these benefits. Found that mothers thought parent-infant interactive play contributed to both emotional and social components of social competence. Themes within…

This article describes experiences of 40 children (ages 3-15) with Asperger syndrome. It finds both variability and consistency in the characteristics of this disorder over time and during specific developmental stages. Results indicate that social skills deficits were variable but remained the greatest challenge for these intellectually bright…

This article explores possible biological factors related to motivation and the relationship of motivation to academic achievement in students with attention deficit hyperactivity disorders. Suggestions are provided for increasing scholastic motivation in this population, including using cooperative learning groups to motivate students to…

Presumes that poor social skills are thought to make people vulnerable to psychosocial problems pursuant to the experience of stressful life events. Indicates that lower social skills scores of a group of college freshmen were predictive of a worsening of psychosocial problems. Finds that social skills interacted with stressful life events to…

This article examines the need to consider social interactional processes in the development of interventions to address the adjustment of aggressive and disruptive youth with mild disabilities. Misconceptions surrounding peer rejections and problem behaviors are identified, and are considered in relation to research on the social relations of…

Evaluates a new approach to improving sibling relationships in which social skills training was used to coach small groups of children (n=21) in prosocial sibling behaviors. Results show that children in the training group exhibited increased warmth, decreased rivalry, fewer problematic sibling behaviors, and a reduced status/power differential…

Discusses the difficulty children with learning disabilities have in making friends and describes a strategy for incorporating children's literature into teaching friendship skills. A practice lesson that used this strategy with five elementary children with disabilities is described and found to be effective in promoting friendship skills. (CR)

Discusses the importance of screening infants and toddlers for social-emotional problems and the benefits of using parent-completed questionnaires in the screening process. Six screening tools that rely on parent report, including three experimental tools, are reviewed. Additionally, challenges to screening for social-emotional disorders are…

Examines ways of helping gifted adolescents cope with a perceived stigma. Research is cited showing that many gifted adolescents believe they are treated differently because of their abilities and behave differently because of this belief, including denial of one's giftedness. The school's role, ability grouping, and special needs of gifted girls…

Ratings by 23 parents and 21 regular education teachers of 20 elementary-aged students with blindness on the Social Skills Rating Scale (SSRS) were compared to ratings for the SSRS sighted-norm group. Although no significant differences were found for overall ratings, students with blindness were rated as less academically competent and higher on…

A study involving five elementary-age children with moderate disabilities and five typical peers evaluated the use of a structural analysis model as a vehicle for improving social interactions via peer-mediated interventions. Results indicate structural analysis was usable as a prescriptive tool to develop effective peer-mediated interventions.…

Analyzes the generalization failures of social-skills instruction, outlines some critical differences between instruction in social- and academic-skills areas, and suggests the depth of analysis, instruction, and facilitation that will be required to achieve generalization of social skills. The modification of environments to support behavior is…

This study investigated the communicative behavior of four adolescents who had been implanted with the Nucleus 22-Channel cochlear implant as adolescents. In videotaped conversations, participants showed development in the proportion of questions resolved, domination of talk time, responses to queries by the conversation partner, and strategies…

Studies of friendships in children with developmental disabilities have evolved primarily from the research on children with typical development. Children with developmental disabilities, however, present unique issues that warrant consideration such as measurement issues, developmental level, the etiology or type of disability, the experience and…