This study examined the presuppositional skills of 5 verbal autistic children (ages 7-12). Results revealed that subjects demonstrated some social-cognitive knowledge of others as reflected in quantitative and qualitative modifications in language relative to naive and knowledgeable listener contexts. (Author/JDD)

The communicative performance of 10 institutionalized persons (ages 12 to 21) with mental retardation was examined. The residents were observed in a classroom and in a residential living area. Results indicated that, although the overall amount of interaction was low, residents initiated the majority of the interactions. (Author/DB)

Self-directed teams (SDTs) are small groups of employees responsible for an entire work process or segment, expected by some to be the workplace wave of the future in terms of organization and peak performance. SDTs work to improve their operation or product, plan and control their work, and handle day-to-day problems. (JOW)

To overcome the superprincipal complex, principals must become expert in processing information and making decisions. To make informed decisions most effectively, principals should employ participatory management, become process consultants, and incorporate the Situation-Target-Proposal (STP) method for resolving problems. Otherwise, change will…

Case studies are used to demonstrate several strategies used in the San Francisco Bay area to ensure the inclusion of persons with dual sensory impairments and other multiple disabilities in integrated community employment. Strategies include heterogeneous group placement, job restructuring, use of natural support, volunteerism, and social skills…

A student attitude questionnaire was given to 1,465 gifted and talented adolescents who identified 5 strategies used to deal with potentially stigmatizing events (cover up, lie, placate, be truthful, and cop-out). The placate coping strategy was the most frequently used across scenarios. (DB)

This essay provides a rationale for including social competence as a prominent feature in the understanding of mental retardation, outlines efforts to describe socially competent behavior, and considers factors that underlie social competence. The essay introduces the papers in this special issue on social skills in individuals with mental…

Queried 15 midwestern public school superintendents concerning the qualities valued in subordinates, factors limiting professional success, and criteria used to determine successful problem resolution. Superintendents also described the most serious problems faced in their careers and their greatest achievements. Participants valued individual…

The basic educational requirements desired by businesses of new employees and the relationship of the computer to their work were determined through site visits to 17 businesses. Employers wanted microcomputer proficiency, excellent communication skills, analytical and interpersonal skills, and background in word and data processing and…

Examined parental attachment, family structure, and social and psychological functioning among 226 college freshmen. For females only, insecure attachment and two dimensions of maladaptive family structure were associated with difficulties in social competence and presence of psychological symptoms. Findings suggest that, for college women, close…

Contradicting Johnsons' observations, 15 gifted sixth and eighth graders complained cooperative learning in heterogeneous groups tends to promote some arrogance, lack of trust in classmates, tendency to take over the group, and ignorance about working with other students. Gifted students must be allowed to work together with each other; teachers…

This response to Chandler et al. (EC 604 147) suggests that generalization of social competence training be viewed from both functional and topographical perspectives which have scientific and practice biases, respectively. The paper proposes a generalization-discrimination continuum along which behaviors may be placed for optimum utility. (DB)

This article argues for the application of curriculum-based evaluation (CBE) in social skills instruction. A rubric is proposed which combines variables related to social competence and summarizes the status of a student's social skills. The model provides a structure for aligning social skills curriculum, assessment, and instruction. (DB)

Two experiments evaluated the social interactions of 15 Asperger-type autistic subjects with either normal or schizoid control subjects. Asperger subjects tended to avoid gazing at the interviewer when the interviewer was talking. Results suggest that a lifelong absence of gaze response to social clues including speech may explain some features of…

Finds that reverse mainstreaming, creative drama, and social skills training (used during an academic year with a class of fourth-grade students and emotionally disturbed (ED) students improved the fourth graders' attitudes toward emotionally disturbed children and improved the self-concepts of the ED students. (SR)