Explores the relationship between couples' stable personality variables associated with interpersonal competencies and marital satisfaction with conflict resolution style as the mediating factor. Results indicate strong mediational effects across time. The relationship personality variables correspond closely with conflict resolution styles, which…

Describes one beginning teacher's experience with a bad, nonsupportive principal. Teachers formed a support group to determine how to handle the principal. Their most successful tactic was to substitute positive, self-supportive thoughts for negative ones. The teacher worked to regain her self-confidence and to communicate with the principal. The…

Compares four subgroups of young adult drug users based on secondary analysis of data originally collected in 1993. Consistent with results from clinical studies, polydrug users were far more likely to engage in risk-taking behaviors. Findings demonstrate the need to offer a full complement of drug rehabilitation and education services to…

Presents second in a four-part series on the universal needs for belonging, mastery, independence, and generosity in all children and youth. Focuses on an important concern shared in all cultures: the development of mastery and competence in children. Presents information on tribal concepts of achievement that are now being validated by…

Building community and attending to students' developmental needs is as essential as achieving high test scores. Schools must make a conscious effort to improve the quality of on-campus personal interactions. Staff should "personalize" their communication styles, encourage more student participation in extracurricular activities, and rethink…

Standardized assessment instruments and direct observation data were collected pre- and post-administration (2 weeks after administration) on the effects of secretin on a 4-year-old boy with autism. No changes in communication functioning, occurrences of stereotypic behavior, or social interaction were observed. A 3-month follow-up indicated no…

Describes African American cultural and spiritual traditions that are the bedrock for therapeutic work with this population. States women who present for counseling with emotional themes of isolation, devaluation, internalized oppression, and low self-esteem and quest for positive racial identity are especially receptive to interventions that…

Discusses what makes a good listener, examining the following: why good listening is an important intellectual and moral virtue; the kind of detachment that is at the center of good listening; and how this detachment explains why the virtue of good listening should be considered a major virtue and meta virtue. Discusses conditions for the…

Investigates the relationship between problem behaviors and social skill deficits in a predominantly African American sample of preschool children. Children were evaluated by their teachers using the Conners' Teacher Rating Scales-28, the ADHD Rating Scale, and the Social Skills Rating System. Implications of results regarding children at risk for…

Teachers must learn to discriminate between caring and toxic brands of lounge conversation (summarized in a table). The way that beginning teachers praise, accept, ignore, or refute comments is critical in developing their roles within the school setting. Their enthusiasm can help students and jaded colleagues. (MLH)

Two children with severe disabilities who used electronic communication aids were taught to extend conversations as a result of implementation of an intervention strategy based on high-probability request sequences. Both learners' conversational maintenance skills improved as a result of the procedure. Educational implications are discussed.…

A teacher of young children with visual impairments in a resource room program recounts how yo-yos became a bridge to development of social skills and friendships both within the group and with other students in the school. (DB)

This article shares some educational principles and strategies for teaching social skills to adolescents with Asperger's syndrome. Educators are urged to teach coping strategies, how to read social cues, and how to interpret social behavior. Also, they are encouraged to provide ample social opportunities and to create a safe and accepting learning…

Discusses how organizations are gaining a competitive edge in a global business environment through learning and highlights a learning organization implementation case study of a division of Ford Motor Company. Examines the strategic initiative; performance improvement results; individual learning, including interpersonal development and…

Parents of 16 children (ages 10 to 14) with learning disabilities were interviewed about their perceptions of the quality of friendship of their children. Mothers sometimes disagreed that child-nominated friends were truly friends and often attributed their children's problems with friendships to social immaturity or social-skills deficits.…