Examined parents' responses to emotional distress in their preschool children and assessed the relation of these responses to children's competence. Data on parent-child interactions was collected for 30 families by means of home observations, parent self-reports, observer ratings, and child interviews. Preschool competence was assessed by teacher…

The social, emotional, and physical benefits of physical education activities for mainstreamed students with special needs are discussed. Success or failure in physical activity is a sensitive issue which affects attitude. The mainstreamed child must gain a sense of belonging without experiencing failure. Suggestions for structuring a program are…

Describes the University of Arizona's field-based teacher certification program with an option for a master's degree in education. Explains the Flowing Wells School District's participation as a training site for post-baccalaureate students seeking certification. Reviews the content of the 15-month full-time program, results, and future…

When interpersonal problem-solving (IPS) ability, assertiveness, and self-esteem were assessed for 241 fourth- through sixth-graders and related to competence with peers, teachers, and academic subjects, assertiveness was a distinct factor with overlap between IPS and self-esteem. Positive correlations were found between each factor and grade…

Examined effects of methylphenidate on social behaviors of hyperactive children between ages of 6 and 11 during unstructured activities outdoors. The children received a placebo, a low dose and a moderate dose of methylphenidate. Trained observers coded the children's actions as either appropriate social, negative social, or nonsocial behavior.…

Outlines the therapeutic process in social skills training with 22 socially dysfunctional outpatients who met Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders criteria for avoidant personality disorder. Measured performance of prosocial target behaviors and associated subjective anxiety during baseline, treatment, and follow-up periods.…

Participants observed a videotaped interpersonal conflict involving two friends with the videotaped protagonist making a request by imposing guilt or eliciting altruism. When altruism was elicited instead of guilt imposed, participants found the protagonist more likable and respected and indicated they would be more likely to comply and less…

The supervision and training of women requires consideration of how to address issues brought to the training process as a result of sex-role typing. Dependent behavior and attitudes need to be overcome in a training process that leads to therapist competency and creativity. Strategic supervision benefits women by increasing self-reliance, sense…

Ten mentally retarded clients in a small work activity center were effectively trained to use social amenities during work-related communications. Training consisted of prework review of the rules of social amenities, frequent reminders during work by supervisors, client repetition of the reminders, and focused practice. (Author/DB)

An 11-week training program to improve the social-conversational skills of preschool developmentally delayed children was evaluated with nine mother-child dyads. After training, experimental children initiated more topics, were more responsive to their mother's preceding turns, and used more verbal turns and a more diverse vocabulary than did…

Identified patient characteristics predictive of individual outcome in psychoeducational group treatment for unipolar depression, a coping with depression course. After treatment, 85 percent of the subjects no longer met diagnostic criteria for depressive disorders. Found the most robust predictors of outcome to be pretreatment depression level,…

Assigned social phobics with severe scrutiny fears to therapist-guided exposure without and including cognitive restructuring. Found the combined condition significantly more effective in endstate functioning, in increasing behavioral approach, and in decreasing self-rated avoidance. Treatment-induced changes in fear of negative evaluation,…

Results of a peer confrontation procedure on the disruptive classroom behavior of three behavior-disordered and mildly retarded students (ages 9-11) are reported. Immediately following each episode of disruptive behavior, peers were prompted by the teacher to label the target behavior, indicate why it was unacceptable, and suggest an alternative…

Proposes a preparatory learning skills curriculum that integrates linguistic, educational, and cultural adjustment in a single course. Describes using the curriculum to assist Malaysian students planning to come to the United States to study. Claims that the curriculum helps students bridge cultures, a major task for international students. (SKC)

A model for special education teaching intern supervision, the Supervision Throughput Model, developed at the University of Florida is described in terms of two key facets: (1) effective interpersonal communication skills and (2) procedures for conducting conferences. Model implementation procedures are also described. (Author/DB)