Verbal prompting and graduated physical guidance procedures were found to substantially increase independent and social play in two interrelated experiments with eight profoundly mentally retarded adults. Independent and social play remained in the subjects' repertoire for 12 months following termination of programmed maintenance. (Author/JW)

Investigated the extent of children's loneliness, their perceived ease in making friends, their estimated social competence as a function of grade and sex, and their preferences concerning eight childhood activities. A loneliness scale and a sociometric peer nomination form were administered to 364 students in grades two, four, and six. (Author/BN)

The relationship between language and behavior disorders was investigated. The teacher and parents of 12 children in a special public preschool for children with documented chronic otitis media and language disorders completed the Louisville Behavior Checklist. Most deviant behavior was reported on scales measuring cognitive and social-interactive…

Conducted a psychologically-oriented intervention program in addition to a conventional curriculum for adolescents (N=9) with behavior problems. Adolescents completing the program manifested less disruptive classroom behavior, increased their classroom participation, and displayed a more positive attitude toward school following participation.…

Evaluation of the school adjustment of Down's Syndrome six- and seven-year-olds (N=8) who had participated in an early intervention program from birth indicated that the subjects were at least as attentive, compliant, socially integrated, and no more disruptive than nondisabled children. Teachers' attitudes ranged from very positive to very…

Examines school recess playground activities of second and fifth graders. A one-year follow-up assessment also measured logical reasoning, interpersonal understanding, and understanding of game rules. Both grade and gender differences were found in the complexity of children's activities. Discusses results in terms of social and sex role…

Patients with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) in one treatment unit were surveyed concerning their physicians' medical information of the disease and its treatment, interpersonal skills, communication skills, attitudes, and the advice given them about their partners and other household members. (MSE)

Fifty-seven physically disabled young people and 62 controls, aged 18-25, rated themselves according to the degree of difficulty they experienced in 12 social situations. While both groups cited difficulties, 37 percent of the disabled group experienced difficulties that were severe in nature, compared to only 3 percent of the comparison group.…

With two autistic boys as subjects, a teacher prompt and praise procedure was applied sequentially across dyads composed of a subject and a nonhandicapped peer (n=8, aged 11-12). Following social interaction training with several nonhandicapped peers, one subject showed across-peer and across-setting generalization, while the second subject did…

Three severely disabled high school students were taught to independently initiate a conversation and participate in turntaking for 10 minutes in a variety of school/community settings with at least four nondisabled peers as partners. The students' high rates of inappropriate social interaction behaviors decreased as conversational skills were…

Many pupils with mild handicaps are failing to succeed in mainstream placements because of their poor social skills. Social skills training is increasingly part of the special education curriculum for these pupils. This article examines issues and strategies regarding the generalization and maintenance of social skills in mainstream settings. (JDD)

Descriptive and intervention research that includes direct observational measures of social interaction between behaviorally disordered children, their siblings, or parents is reviewed. Topics addressed include degree of deficits in positive interaction exhibited by behavior disordered children (compared with nonhandicapped children), and…

The social ineptitude and the emotional and practical upsets of many learning disabled children require practitioners to find ways to help them improve their social skills. Training in Interpersonal Cognitive Problem-Solving skills, modified to address their unique difficulties, may improve behavior of learning disabled children. (Author/VW)

Discusses rough-and-tumble (R&T) play and misconceptions about its role in the development of young children. Contrasts R&T with aggressive behaviors. Discusses the educational benefits of R&T and offers recommendations for incorporating it into young children's curricula. (Author/RWB)

Examines the positive perspective of the nuances of show-and-tell. Suggests that show-and-tell can be: (1) an activity for closure and evaluation, and for clarification of feelings; (2) a forum for expressive and receptive language development; (3) a window into children's thoughts and feelings; and (4) a source for curriculum ideas. (Author/RWB)