Investigated whether factor structures of Behavior Dimensions Rating Scale for behaviorally disordered students (n=417) were invariant across elementary and secondary grade levels. The findings that behavioral subscales for behavior disordered students in grades K-5 and grades 6-11 were structurally invariant do not support need for using separate…

Used database from Oregon Medicaid program to examine differences in the potential insurance coverage of demented persons by using different formulations of Activities of Daily Living (ADL) dependencies. For those with clear dementia, 81-88 percent of the persons with significant behavioral problems were correctly identified when a cut score of…

Studied academic underachievement (AU) among 177 clinic-referred boys diagnosed with either attention-deficit hyperactivity disorders (ADHD) or conduct disorders (CD). AU was associated with both ADHD and CD when disorders were examined individually. When examined in multivariate logit model analyses, apparent relation between CD and AU was found…

This paper responds to a critique (EC 601 489) of a paper on the possible involuntary nature of self-injurious movements in persons with mental retardation, resulting from undiagnosed frontal lobe seizures. The response discusses electroencephalographic techniques, the importance of observable ictal phenomena, the need for other corroborating…

Ten adults with compulsive behavior disorder and six comparison subjects, all with mental retardation, were treated using the medication fluoxetine. Seven of the 10 experimental subjects responded favorably to fluoxetine treatment; none of the comparison subjects responded favorably to the medication. There appeared to be a relation between…

Administered Millon Adolescent Personality Inventory at admission and discharge to 215 hospitalized adolescent psychiatric patients. Found significant mean score differences for both internalizing (affective disorder) and externalizing (disruptive behavior disorder) adolescents. Internalizing adolescents reported significantly greater distress at…

Investigated effects of classwide peer tutoring on academic performance of students (n=7) with behavioral disorders and highest, middle, and lowest performing strata of nondisabled students (n=52) in regular education history class. Tutoring was associated with increases in individual test scores of students with behavioral disorders and…

Examined inpatient medical records of 157 consecutive adolescent admissions to private psychiatric hospital. Ten patients with interest in witchcraft and Satanism had significantly more diagnoses of identity disorder, alcohol abuse, and hallucinogen abuse. One-half reported history of self-mutilation. Found no significant difference in criminal…

Describes Green Chimneys, therapeutic residential farm education and treatment center where animals help troubled children and adolescents. Contends that human-animal bond can promote learning and that nurturing animals and receiving back unconditional attention and love reestablishes the worth of the child. Describes residents of the program, a…

Describes "IMPACT," a comprehensive high school program that promotes a positive and supportive environment by involving students, faculty, and the community in a variety of prevention, collaboration, and intervention activities in response to students' needs. Discusses the organization of the total wellness program and components of the program.…

Describes the clinical features of the most important psychiatric disorders in mentally retarded adolescents: mood disorders, psychotic disorders, severe behavioral disorders, personality disorders, anxiety disorders, and attention-deficit The impact of mental retardation on personality development is confirmed by the high psychopathological…

This study evaluated a prevention program using "universal" interventions (i.e., classroom management, social-skill instruction, peer tutoring) for at-risk students and those with emotional and behavioral disorders (EBD) in urban schools. Direct observation and teacher reports indicated targeted students improved significantly in on-task behavior,…

A survey of 556 teachers of students with emotional/behavior disorders (E/BD) found they believed that approximately 38% of students had been abused physically or sexually, 41% had been neglected, and 51% had been abused emotionally. Eighty-two percent related that they had reported maltreatment, most often to administrators. (Author/CR)

In assessing future prospects of the field of behavioral disorders, examines two areas: (1) early intervention for prevention and (2) inclusion and preparation of teachers. Discusses the need for increased attention to scientific and data-based decision making in the areas of early intervention and teacher preparation, and the establishment of…

Discusses social learning family therapy hypotheses on the development and sustenance of conduct disorder in early childhood, together with treatment approaches that use parents as the primary agents of change. Reviews research showing that parent training procedures hold much promise for the treatment of conduct disorder in childhood. (JPB)