Social and nonsocial behaviors of 72 severely handicapped preschoolers were assessed. While clear social behavior differences emerged between more and less accepted children, equally powerful differences were noted in certain nonsocial skills and attributes: physical attractiveness, toy play skill, level of disruption in class, and athletic skill.…

To examine the effectiveness of natural environment language training on social competence, teachers introduced delays during predetermined opportunities with three disabled preschoolers. The number of vocal requests initiated by the Ss increased substantially, and their social competence was enhanced. (CL)

Defines life education groups as educational, time-limited groups focusing on family and personal growth issues. Discusses the conceptual framework of the groups, the value of structure, prevention and intervention, and responding to the needs of diverse groups. (JAC)

The Teaching Interaction approach, a 10-step procedure designed to help regular and special education students learn appropriate social and school-related behaviors, is a positive approach to discipline and can be used by any member of an educational staff. Interactions begin with an expression of affection and incorporate descriptions of the…

Teacher-made table and card games in which students work on such general skills areas as accepting and giving criticism or asking and answering questions can help promote positive social behaviors to handicapped students. (CL)

Parents' reports on social competence and behavioral problems were obtained for 53 learning disabled boys 12-16. On average, the LD boys showed significant lower levels of social competence and more behavior problems compared to normative samples of boys in the same age range. Results were compared to previously published findings for younger LD…

Examines strategies that stutterers use to manage interactional order and identify by concealing, revealing, or disavowing stuttering. Discusses findings in relation to the way people manage disabilities in general. (GC)

Following court-ordered programing, more of the 115 profoundly retarded residents judged to be high funtioning gained in social maturity age than individuals from the 92 low funtioning group. Findings suggested that the profound classification of mental retardation is too broad. (CL)

The Corner Method, in which students must interact in such a way that the logical consequences of their actions force them to seek more socially useful behaviors, resulted in an increase in socially productive behaviors among eight behavior disordered students (10-12 years old). (CL)

Preliminary indications suggested that a social skills training program featuring modeling, coaching, and role playing was effective in helping 15 autistic adolescents and adults learn to have positive peer-related social experiences. (CL)

Assesses the extent to which the Urist Rorschach Mutuality of Autnonomy Scale (MAS) can differentiate levels of pathology in previously hospitalized adults (N=60). Results suggested that the MAS accurately reflects observed pathology severity at time of hospitalization and over a lifetime, but not at the time of assessment. (LLL)

Research is reviewed on the use of familiar nursery rhymes with mentally handicapped children, and it is concluded that the rhymes promote social interaction and word recognition. (CL)

Four autistic or autistic-like adolescents who participated in a family-style lunch program designed to promote appropriate interaction increased their social initiations, social responses, total words spoken per lunch period, and the mean number of words per comment. (CL)

A conceptual and procedural alternative to the typical, individual-specific model of social behavior assessment and treatment is offered. This alternative, based upon the social reciprocity of children's interactions, has direct implicatons for all phases of social behavior interventions designed and implemented for special education students.…

Developed, implemented, and evaluated a social skills training program for shy persons (N=12). Results indicated that subjects in the experimental group, relative to the control group, significantly decreased their level of social anxiety, decreased their negative self-statements, and increased their perceived ability to participate actively in…