This article describes the early intervention program developed at the Scottish Centre for Autism. Intervention aimed at improved social communication and social interaction skills is delivered through 1:1 intensive treatment by trained therapists and parent training. Treatment incorporates a child led approach, use of imitation, language use…

Examines the effectiveness of a commercially available social skills training program plus classroom reinforcement for use with preschoolers with developmental delays. The combinations of training plus classroom reinforcement resulted in statistically significant increases in sharing behavior. Social skills interventions were viewed favorably by…

Examined relations between different forms of children's nonsocial play behaviors and adjustment in kindergarten. Results from regression analyses revealed that different types of nonsocial play were differentially associated with child characteristics and indices of adjustment. For some forms of nonsocial play, the nature of these associations…

Single-case analyses were conducted of the dosage and time-course effects of methylphenidate on disruptive classroom behavior, math and reading performance, and social engagement. In contrast to previous studies, clear individual differences were demonstrated: across children; across academic, behavioral, and social domains of functioning; for…

This study examined the effectiveness, feasibility, and acceptability of a classwide peer-assisted self-management program (CWPASM) to change behaviors of 10 at-risk students in three seventh grade classes. Target students' on-task behavior improved from 35 percent to 80 percent and increased their use of two appropriate social skills. Feasibility…

This study examined the role of language, attention/impulse control, and mother-child play in predicting later peer competence by assessing 252 children at ages 3 and 8 years. Children born term (n = 90) or preterm (n = 162) were included to examine the question of how variability in skills influenced social outcomes and whether relations were…

Objective: To determine the effect of child-, parent- and family-related factors on the use of and need for mental health services by 12 years of age. Method: A prospective population-based questionnaire study of 1,287 first-born children was launched in Finland in 1985. The Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) was completed by 1,086 parents when the…

This paper compares the perceptions of school principals with those of novice teachers on the competence of such newly qualified members of staff. Findings suggest that the school principals and the novices both had similar perceptions regarding the satisfactory performance of the novices, although the novices tended to rate their own performance…

Four crisis-precipitating events are identified that have the potential to interfere with the individual's overall adjustment following laryngectomy. Important to the success of alaryngeal speech rehabilitation is the clinician's ability to recognize how laryngectomy may influence the individual's physical, social, psychological, and occupational…

The majority of students with learning disabilities have difficulties with social relationships. In this article, three key skill areas in social-emotional learning are identified as the main source of these difficulties: recognizing emotions in self and others, regulating and managing strong emotions (positive and negative), and recognizing…

Abstract: Background Most research on children's social problem-solving skills is based on responses to hypothetical vignettes. Just how these responses relate to actual behaviour in real-life social situations is, however, unclear, particularly for children with mild intellectual disabilities (MID). Method: In the present study, the spontaneous…

Deficiencies in social competence constitute a significant problem for aggressive children. As a result, these children often experience difficulty interacting with peers in socially acceptable ways. Such problems are particularly exacerbated in the schoolyard, where rules are less defined and low levels of supervision prevail. The present study…

A cohort of 2nd-grade students provided comparisons of academic and social competence based on school retention/promotion decisions. Sample groups were (a) retained, (b) at risk for retention, (c) special education, and (d) promoted. Findings suggested most children with academic deficiencies are identified by schools early and are sorted into…

StrengthsQuest is a student program that focuses on strengths rather than weaknesses. It is intended to lead students to discover their natural talents and gain unique and valuable insights into how to develop such talents into strengths--strengths that equip them to succeed and to make important decisions that enable them to balance the demands…

This paper reports research on cross-national collaboration through Information and Communications Technology (ICT) within the statutory curricula of 10 special schools in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. Working in north-south paired classes, the pupils carried out joint tasks using asynchronous computer conferencing and…