The study evaluated the influence of collaborative skill instruction on the social interaction behaviors of moderately/severely handicapped and nonhandicapped students participating in group science activities. Data revealed that students receiving the instruction interacted more positively than those who did not receive the instruction.…

Adolescents with and without learning disabilities (14, 16, and 18 years old) were tested to determine whether they differed in auditory, visual, and/or multisensory social perception abilities. The adolescents with learning disabilities at all age levels were not as adept at understanding nonverbal social information regardless of whether it was…

Explored associations of mutual eye contact with self-accepting and other-accepting conduct by small group members as assessed by pooled group peers and self. Results indicated robust and substantial connections between interpersonal behaviors representing the nonverbal and verbal domains despite rather limited reliability of mutual eye contact…

On a peer sociometric measure, 101 learning-disabled and 156 low-achieving students received lower ratings than 608 normally achieving students. Parent/teacher behavior ratings for 77 of the learning-disabled and low-achieving students found that children rejected in peer sociometric ratings exhibited lower social competence and more behavior…

Studies effects of public day care on 119 children 1-8 years old. Time of entrance into day care predicted cognitive and socioemotional development. Children in day care before age 1 were generally rated more favorably and performed better than did children with late entrance or home care. (RJC)

Examines growing trend of special issues training sessions for peer counselors. Describes number of training guidelines developed as result of secondary school's training program and formal evaluation. Suggested guidelines include training in listening and helping skills, extended practice of these skills, mutual decision-making, peer counselor…

The proposed modified definition of learning disability by the Interagency Committee on Learning Disabilities, which includes social skills deficits as a specific learning disability, is presented and analyzed from primary, secondary, and social learning theory causative hypotheses. Development of an adequate assessment technology is urged.…

Examined the role of athletic participation in contributing to student affective development in college students (N=11,862). Found athletic involvement was positively associated with overall satisfaction with the college experience, motivation to earn a degree, and the development of interpersonal skills and leadership abilities. (Author/ABL)

The employment status and social adjustment of hearing-impaired young adults (N=38) of whom 10 had graduated from residential schools for the deaf in New Zealand and 28 from special classes in regular schools was reviewed. There was some evidence that residential school graduates experienced more difficulty in coping following graduation. (DB)

The followup study of 15 autistic and 14 dysphasic boys at middle childhood found that few of the autistic boys had developed good language skills; that the autistic group remained stable in its general characteristics; and that many of the dysphasic boys showed problems in peer relations. (DB)

Incorporating group socialization procedures into a classroom with young children with developmental difficulties requires identifying target children, implementing the procedures, and evaluating the procedures. Socialization activities may include encouraging children to interact with one another, frequent modeling of prosocial behavior, frequent…

Home providers (n=104) caring for mentally retarded persons were surveyed concerning demographic characteristics, client maladaptive behavior, home climate, amount and variety of participation in community environments, and number and frequency of visits with friends. The results and the questions they raise about friend selection and community…

Designed model program designed to increase social support for newly admitted nursing home residents through a structured program of peer counseling. Found residents (N=15) receiving peer counseling improved somewhat on measures of social conditioning; peer counselors (N=15) improved with regard to appearance and grooming. (Author/ABL)

Compared cognitive and interpersonal-process group therapies in treatment of depression among college students to each other and to waiting-list control group. Both treatments led to significant reductions in depression and depressed thinking and to increments in self-esteem at midtreatment, posttreatment, and follow-up assessments but did not…

The social interactions of 19 employees with developmental disabilities and 18 control employees were observed during work and breaks. Analyzed were the rate of social interaction, participants in social interactions, and content of social interactions (work-related or not work-related, commands, directions, offers of assistance, greetings, social…