This study found that siblings (n=19) of severely autistic children, siblings of children with Down's syndrome, and siblings of normal children did not differ on measures of perceived self-competence or parents' report of social competence. Siblings of autistic children had more internalizing and externalizing behavior problems than siblings of…

This review examines evaluation and treatment of adjustment problems in adolescents with visual impairments and describes a behavioral family treatment program. It considers the impact of the child on the family and the family on the child; assessment (psychopathology, social skills competence, family adjustment, and marital functioning); and…

Describes the use of a self-determination curriculum for mental-health intervention and primary prevention for Head Start children. The curriculum addresses critical adaptive-skills domains, including social skills, self-evaluation, self-direction, networking or friendship, collaboration or support seeking, problem solving and decision making, and…

Describes changes in social behavior of 20 at-risk sixth and seventh graders from a small rural school during the implementation of a sport-education curriculum. Exposure to the curriculum was associated with increased positive peer interaction and accurate self-monitoring by students of their own social interactions. (SLD)

A study investigated attitudes of 147 high school students toward participation in an instructional unit to encourage development of work ethic, appropriate work attitudes, and employability skills, including interpersonal skills, initiative, and dependability. A majority found the unit helpful and the instructional methods appropriate. (MSE)

Examined preservice general educators' self-perceived levels of competence to participate in school- and community-based collaboration activities designed to enhance the education of diverse student populations. Surveys indicated that, overall, they perceived themselves to have less than average knowledge and skill for most competencies necessary…

This article describes the use of measures of functional assessment of essential activities in self-care, mobility, communication, and social cognition in preschool children. An overview of functional assessment is provided, and psychometric properties of the various tests are described. Case studies illustrate the value of using functional…

Examined the relevancy of group social functioning to individual social, academic, and psychological adjustment in China. Found that social functioning--including sociability, aggression, and shyness-inhibition--of group peers had unique contributions to individual social and school adjustment and adjustment problems, and that contributions of…

A study of 51 post-treatment survivors (ages 8-17) of cancer found they had difficulties in psychosocial adjustment in the areas of scholastic competence, emotional stability, and social competence. Students who repeated a grade were particularly concerned with academic performance and peer relationships. Homebound instruction was academically…

A study evaluated a Czech Outward Bound course for international participants that used dramaturgy to incorporate cultural, social, creative, and psychological activities and enrich the traditional range of outdoor physical activities. Observations of 55 participants and followup surveys indicated that the main outcomes involved personal and…

Preparation for rural medical practice is adequate in the areas of clinical knowledge and procedural skills, but to increase the retention of rural physicians, more curricular emphasis is needed in the areas of sensitivity to rural social issues, counseling, networking, and fostering self-confidence to function effectively in an environment with…

This study assessed collateral effects during unstructured dinnertime family interactions of two different paradigms for training parents of 17 children with autism. One taught individual target behaviors serially, and the other taught the pivotal responses (PRT) of motivation and responsivity to multiple cues. Results suggested the PRT…

Behavioral momentum or interspersed requesting has been effectively used to achieve compliance with young children with disabilities. This paper reviews research on behavioral momentum and proposes expanding the utility of behavioral momentum to incorporate a variety of outcomes in social interactions, communication, motor skills, self-help…

Tested a model linking parental formal religiosity to early adolescents' academic competence and socioemotional adjustment. Found that greater parental religiosity led to more cohesive family relationships, less interparental conflict, and fewer externalizing and internalizing problems in adolescents. Found that religiosity indirectly influenced…

A study of 293 students from one graded and one nongraded elementary school found that primary and intermediate students in the ungraded school performed better in reading and math, and language and spelling, respectively. A second study of 134 students from two graded and two ungraded elementary schools found higher social skills in the nongraded…