This discussion concludes that personal choice cannot be used to distinguish between students with serious emotional disturbances or social maladjustment, a distinction required by federal legislation. Literature supporting this conclusion is reviewed, focusing on conduct problems and disorders, choosing maladjusted behavior, choosing a serious…

This article reviews research on three behavioral subtypes of attention deficit disorder (ADD): (1) without hyperactivity (ADD/WO), (2) with hyperactivity, and (3) with hyperactivity and aggression (ADDHA). Children with ADDHA appear to be at increased risk of having oppositional and conduct disorders, whereas children with ADD/WO show symptoms…

Seventy-eight families with child diagnosed as oppositional-defiant or conduct-disordered were randomly assigned to basic videotape parent skills training program (GDVM) with or without broader-based, videotape treatment component (ADVANCE). Both groups significantly improved at short-term follow-up. ADVANCE produced additional significant…

Discusses the etiology and characteristics of some of the emotional and social problems that learning-disabled college students might experience. Makes recommendations about possible treatments. Indicates that students with learning disabilities may exhibit psychosocial problems, in addition to academic deficiencies, related to their disabilities.…

Questions concerning identifying and treating Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) are addressed, including whether ADHD is a handicapping condition, and what guidelines should be used for determining the need for educational services. A psychoeducational paradigm is presented to help school psychologists design effective programs for…

This article addresses the controversy regarding the exclusion of youths labeled socially maladjusted from special education services for the seriously emotionally disturbed. The article reconceptualizes the issue from a cultural-organizational perspective, viewing such exclusion as resulting from a society that has little tolerance for "deviant"…

Children with attention deficit disorder (ADD) need extra time and care, two scarce commodities in any classroom. The article describes the causes and behavioral characteristics of ADD and examines ways to cope with disruptive ADD children in the classroom. It also discusses pertinent legislation. (SM)

Oral language abilities in 20 boys (ages 9-13) with chronic behavior disorder were investigated, using 20 standardized language measures. Findings indicated generally poor or inconsistent language skills, with abstract concepts and linguistically complex structures particularly difficult. (Author/DB)

Thirty-one students (ages 8-14) with learning disabilities or behavior disorders solved arithmetic word problems while a narrative protocol was developed. Eight types of cognitive processing difficulties were identified (such as lack of self-correction and inclusion of extraneous information), and the utility of protocol analysis as an assessment…

This survey relating to 184 Oregon students with severe intellectual disabilities and severe problem behaviors found that major extra educational support was in the form of additional teaching assistants. Ninety percent of students spent some portion of each school day socially integrated. Over 40% received community-based instruction. (Author/JDD)

This study examined the effectiveness of an instructional system (a modified version of the School Survival Skills Curriculum) in developing and improving the school survival skills of students with behavioral disorders. Using a pretest-posttest group design, subjects demonstrated improvement in overall use of school survival skills but no…

Addresses a Seventh Circuit ruling that treats parental hostility as a factor in determining the appropriateness of an individualized education program. Asks what are the alternative and appropriate means for counteracting undue parental hostility in cases under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and related laws. (60 references) (MLF)

The unusually low numbers of students with emotional and behavior disturbances referred and provided with special education services in Mississippi were examined in a survey of 101 special education teachers. Teachers saw parental objections to the label "Emotionally Impaired" as the primary cause of the very low rate of referrals. (DB)

A statistical comparison was conducted of 120 Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) of intermediate-grade male students with behavioral disorders and learning disabilities in resource and self-contained programs. Differences were found in terms of federal mandate compliance, number of annual goals and completed short-term objectives, and…

Adolescent students with behavior disorders at a Jamestown (Minnesota) residential facility create and produce a student newspaper. The project has been effective in motivating students, teaching and reinforcing basic academic skills, building self-esteem, and promoting positive social interaction. Skills developed transfer to the mainstream. (DB)