This study examined classroom life of children with behavioral/emotional disorders in self-contained classrooms. Site visits were made to 26 programs, and 200 parents responded to questionnaires. Despite visible mainstreaming efforts, results indicated gaps in quality of classroom life, amount of attention on students' mental health needs, and…

Compared the levels of perceived stress on several dimensions of parenting in mothers and fathers of 159 children divided into 4 groups: conduct disorders, autistic, Down syndrome, and developmentally normal. Results showed that mothers and fathers reported similar levels of stress when parenting exceptional children, although their patterns of…

Surveys current research on causes and treatment of autism. Identifies features of autism and outlines causal theories and related treatments. Analyzes problems with the different approaches to causes of autism. Suggests the multiplicity of approaches implies lack of success in any one area. Contends behavior modification provides best results and…

The paper defines the population of primary school age language/learning-disabled children with communication disorders and emotional/behavioral disorders. It then discusses the language demands of traditional treatment methods, assessment and diagnostic procedures, approaches to communication intervention, and treatment modalities; and offers a…

Evaluation of treatment acceptability was conducted with 78 staff members at a community-based residential facility for youth with severe behavior disorders and mental retardation, where the institutional treatment philosophy was explicitly behavioral. Unlike a previous study, in this setting acceptability ratings were not influenced by severity…

The relationship between state definitions of behavior disorders and the number of children being served was examined for one year prior to implementation of Public Law 94-142 and a year following full implementation. Definitional components accounted for less than a third of the variance in prevalence rates. Influences contributing to the…

This article outlines considerations in planning inpatient groups for psychiatric patients and presents a model for group psychotherapy with a heterogeneous admission ward population. The model includes session plans based on objectives graded according to patients' levels of functioning. Also discussed are group rules and the therapist's role.…

Two studies, involving 2 students (aged 11 to 12) with severe behavioral disorders, demonstrated that the use of cognitive behavior modification components, including self-instruction and self-monitoring, led to increased academic performance, and academic skill improvement led to a reduction in inappropriate classroom behaviors. (Author/JDD)

The article discusses the following conceptual models of depression, noting their related treatment approaches: (1) biological model (psychopharmacology); (2) behavioral model (behavior modification, social skills training, problem-solving skills); (3) cognitive model (cognitive therapy); (4) life stress model (focusing on environmental stresses…

The paper addresses the view that many of the secondary students suspended or excluded from school for disruptive behavior may be socially/emotionally handicapped. The legal and service delivery implications of this position are discussed within the context of current Australian special education policy. (DB)

In two studies, severe aggressive and self-injurious behaviors exhibited by two adult men with mental retardation were reduced through the implementation of functional communication training. Reductions came after years of less successful nonaversive and aversive interventions. Behavior changes were generalized across staff, new environments, and…

The article describes the Career Ladder Program for mildly handicapped high school seniors, providing supervised work experience programs based on principles from Re-Ed (Reeducation of Emotionally Disturbed Youth). Principles include team building, affective education, and interventions directed at reducing discord in the ecosystem rather than…

Seven brief clinical vignettes are presented, illustrating principles of intervention with parents of aggressive children. The vignettes describe family relationships; parents' feelings toward counselors, especially anger; counseling techniques; actions taken by counselors; and outcomes of treatment. (JDD)

The article reviews broad characteristics of levels systems, classroom structures consisting of four to six levels of behavioral, academic, and social expectations and the criteria for moving from one level to another. Three sample systems are presented along with step-by-step procedures for developing a levels system for behavior disordered…

Review of claims for the effectiveness of the gentle teaching philosophy with people having severe problem behaviors and mental retardation finds that the methods were unsuccessful with seven of nine individuals. Although more research is needed, the review suggests that gentle teaching cannot be considered an ethically defensible treatment…