This concluding article summarizes the findings in previous articles on the inclusion of children with emotional and behavior disorders in general education. Findings indicate that there exists a population of students with emotional or behavioral disorders for whom a general education classroom or school is not the least restrictive environment.…

This paper identifies factors possibly influencing long-term effectiveness of social skills training with students having emotional or behavioral disorders. These include: lack of a sound conceptual framework, questionable social validity of target skills, controversies surrounding the nature of social skills deficits, imprecise assessment…

Primary among the issues in research on school-age children with emotional and behavioral disorders (EBD) is the prediction and control of aggressive behavior. This paper examines issues in the direct measurement of classroom aggression including low base rates, interactional sequences, and reliability. (Author/DB)

This study examined the occurrence of symptoms of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in 80 children adopted from Romania to Dutch parents. Findings indicated that 11 boys and 1 girl clearly showed ADHD symptoms, based on parents' ratings, and exhibited more externalizing behavior than the other children. These children more often…

There is a strong comorbid relationship between conduct and substance disorders in youth. In the present study, 56 such youth were randomly assigned to receive either individual-cognitive therapy or family-behavioral therapy. Subjects in both groups demonstrated significant improvements in their conduct and reductions in their use of illicit drugs…

A study examined the effectiveness of a 10-week social skills instruction program for seven students (ages 8-9) at risk for antisocial behavior who were unresponsive to a schoolwide primary intervention program. Results indicated lasting decreases in both disruptive behaviors in the classroom and negative social interactions on the playground.…

A study analyzed the discipline-related content of 13 elementary education journals published over a 10-year period (77 articles) and found that only 1% of articles were about classroom discipline and that the content often failed to define specifically and substantively the teacher's role in identifying and mediating behavior problems. (Contains…

Surveys of parents of 87 Dutch children (ages 3-10) involved in multiple victim/multiple perpetrator sexual abuse investigated the children's behavior 2 years and 7 years after disclosure. Thirty-nine percent of the children changed as a result of the abuse and 7% showed signs of severe behavioral disorders. (Author/CR)

Three analyses were conducted to assess the effects of different consequent stimuli on the stereotypical and self-injurious behavior of two children with severe developmental disabilities and dual sensory impairments. Contingent presentation of the specially selected stimuli plus response interruption resulted in more suppression than contingent…

A study examined the effect of self-determination contracts for 8 students (ages 9-10) with severe emotional/behavioral problems. Students completed daily self-determination contracts to schedule their work, plan for work outcomes, evaluate progress, and adjust for the next day's activity. Pre- and post-assessment found significant academic…

This article provides a proactive functional assessment and intervention framework for addressing challenging behaviors in young children. A three-tiered model is described that outlines prevention on the primary, secondary, and tertiary levels and remediation strategies that may be used to ameliorate challenging behaviors demonstrated by young…

Discussion of findings of a study in Scotland notes that it was possible to prevent disciplinary exclusion from school, that interagency collaboration was central to this, but that strategies to prevent school exclusion often meant young people were not very fully included in the mainstream curriculum. Relevant differences in policy and practice…

Interviews Katherine McNeil, a special education teacher and behavioral specialist for the Northwood JAG ("Just Achieving Greatness") Program for middle school students with severe behavioral disorders. Notes the JAG website provides an overview of this successful program, samples of student work, rubrics, and resources for teachers. Outlines how…

This article argues that non-directive play therapy offers an approach that is well suited to addressing adolescent concerns. The argument is illustrated by two accounts of therapy that show how a more traditional non-directive counseling approach was combined with play therapy by the adolescents themselves, allowing exploration of emotional…

Morning and afternoon salivary substance P and cortisol levels were measured in 26 adults with chronic self-injurious behavior (SIB) and severe developmental disabilities and compared with controls without SIB. Chronic SIB was associated with an altered diurnal pattern of salivary substance P, characterized by lower levels of morning substance P.…