These comments on EC 604 103, concerning child temperament effects on the special education process and outcomes, focus on how the author became interested in the topic, reasons for the paucity of research in this area, the relationship between child temperament and parental temperament, and ways in which teachers can apply the research. (JDD)

Used social behavior ratings from observers, teachers, and parents to predict kindergartners' perceptions of peer acceptance. Found that friendship skill predicted parent- and child-reported peer acceptance. Shyness/withdrawal inversely predicted teacher-reported peer acceptance. Aggression did not predict peer acceptance. Girls were rated as more…

This survey found that middle and high school students (n=1,137) believe friendship with a student with a severe disability is more likely to occur if the student is included in the general education class, if cooperative learning is used, if information on disabilities is given, and if integrated social activities are arranged. (CR)

Examined how social aspects of a peer collaborative context related to differences in adolescents' interpretations of task and social problems while collaborating with peers in a naturalistic classroom setting. Found that salience of social problems, gender, and friendship were important for understanding project performance. Explored the value of…

Suggests that parents resolve disagreements about parenting and child behavior by: (1) listening to discover each other's normal way; (2) negotiating to find three alternatives to get unstuck; and (3) prioritizing to close the deal and reach a mutually agreeable solution. (DLH)

Background: Most studies of the effects of trauma on mental health have generally not separately assessed psychosocial functioning, and in those that have key issues have received little attention, such as the relation between the time courses of the two kinds of outcome, and detailed assessment of social functioning in a range of domains. The…

Children with high-functioning autism spectrum disorders (ASD) typically exhibit a lack of social reciprocity skills. They often struggle to maintain conversations, especially with topics of little or no interest to them, and to create meaningful relationships. By giving compliments to others, children with ASD have a means by which to show…

This study examined the effect of a social-behavioral learning strategy intervention (SODA) on the social interaction skills of 4 elementary school children with Asperger syndrome (AS). More specifically, the study investigated the effect of SODA training on the abilities of 4 children with AS to participate in cooperative learning activities,…

This report documents the Annie E. Casey Foundation's effort to learn from families, communities and organizations around the country about their experiences with social network strategies and approaches. Using the voices and experiences of the families and organizations visited, the report summarizes findings from these visits and helps lay the…

This study examined the relationship between end-of-year grades and the academic, behavioral, and social characteristics of rural African American youth. Participants included 392 7th and 8th grade students from 2 rural middle schools in the south. Participants were African American and were from 2 communities that have child poverty rates…

This study investigated how social group status and group bias are related to adolescents' reasoning about social acceptance. Ninth and eleventh-grade students (N = 379) were asked to make judgments about the inclusion of individuals in school activities based on their peer crowd membership. The results of the study revealed that both…

A description is provided of the Garrison Model, an educational therapeutic program for youth with severe behavior disorders which emphasizes a student's responsibility for choices that are made. The model was developed at the Garrison School, a public alternative day school in Illinois that serves students with severe behavioral disorders. The…

This report describes the development and testing of two measures of job-related social behavior of adolescents and young adults, ages 14-21, with behavior disorders (BD). Following an introduction of the concept of job-related social behavior, detailed descriptive information and data are provided on development and field testing of the…

This monograph is intended to help special educators design social behavior curricula that teach alternative or replacement behaviors for negative behaviors to students with emotional/behavior disorders (E/BD). Each section contains a brief description of a behavior replacement technique, an explanation of why a particular technique works,…

Violence is a part of daily life in the United States, which leads the world in homicides, rapes, and assaults. Violence is also part of the daily reality for many children in today's society, both at home and in school. The school system can be a key intervention point in providing students with the information necessary to understand and prevent…