Examines school recess playground activities of second and fifth graders. A one-year follow-up assessment also measured logical reasoning, interpersonal understanding, and understanding of game rules. Both grade and gender differences were found in the complexity of children's activities. Discusses results in terms of social and sex role…

Patients with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) in one treatment unit were surveyed concerning their physicians' medical information of the disease and its treatment, interpersonal skills, communication skills, attitudes, and the advice given them about their partners and other household members. (MSE)

Fifty-seven physically disabled young people and 62 controls, aged 18-25, rated themselves according to the degree of difficulty they experienced in 12 social situations. While both groups cited difficulties, 37 percent of the disabled group experienced difficulties that were severe in nature, compared to only 3 percent of the comparison group.…

With two autistic boys as subjects, a teacher prompt and praise procedure was applied sequentially across dyads composed of a subject and a nonhandicapped peer (n=8, aged 11-12). Following social interaction training with several nonhandicapped peers, one subject showed across-peer and across-setting generalization, while the second subject did…

Three severely disabled high school students were taught to independently initiate a conversation and participate in turntaking for 10 minutes in a variety of school/community settings with at least four nondisabled peers as partners. The students' high rates of inappropriate social interaction behaviors decreased as conversational skills were…

Many pupils with mild handicaps are failing to succeed in mainstream placements because of their poor social skills. Social skills training is increasingly part of the special education curriculum for these pupils. This article examines issues and strategies regarding the generalization and maintenance of social skills in mainstream settings. (JDD)

Descriptive and intervention research that includes direct observational measures of social interaction between behaviorally disordered children, their siblings, or parents is reviewed. Topics addressed include degree of deficits in positive interaction exhibited by behavior disordered children (compared with nonhandicapped children), and…

The social ineptitude and the emotional and practical upsets of many learning disabled children require practitioners to find ways to help them improve their social skills. Training in Interpersonal Cognitive Problem-Solving skills, modified to address their unique difficulties, may improve behavior of learning disabled children. (Author/VW)

Discusses rough-and-tumble (R&T) play and misconceptions about its role in the development of young children. Contrasts R&T with aggressive behaviors. Discusses the educational benefits of R&T and offers recommendations for incorporating it into young children's curricula. (Author/RWB)

Examines the positive perspective of the nuances of show-and-tell. Suggests that show-and-tell can be: (1) an activity for closure and evaluation, and for clarification of feelings; (2) a forum for expressive and receptive language development; (3) a window into children's thoughts and feelings; and (4) a source for curriculum ideas. (Author/RWB)

Examined depression, life stress, cognitive distortions, cognitive rigidity, problem-solving, loneliness, and family support in college freshmen (N=158) using self-report measures. Results suggest that depression has important interpersonal correlates. Loneliness and poor self-appraised social problem-solving combined and interacted with life…

Comparison of the community integration of 60 mildly retarded former special school students and 60 nonretarded regular school students found that 77% of special school students were employed (60% in open employment) compared to 80% of regular students; and that 55% of regular students had married compared to 12% of special students. (DB)

A systematic program for the training of broad-based social skills is necessary for some visually impaired children. Research on social skills programs has focused on the use of behavioral therapy, verbal and nonverbal social skills intervention, early intervention, and a team approach. (Author/JDD)

A social skills curriculum for learning disabled students involves assessing strengths and weaknesses, choosing target skills, and teaching target skills. In the area of nonverbal communication, suggested activities can help students understand facial expressions, gestures, and vocal intonation. Opportunities should be provided to practice new…

Sixty gifted students (ages 9-11) were studied to identify differences in perceived competence, social adjustment, and peer relations between those in regular classrooms and those in segregated settings. Regular-classroom subjects reported greater perceived cognitive competence while segregated subjects were rated more positively by their teachers…