Superintendents can protect themselves from the toxic effects of leadership seduction by monitoring their communication with colleagues and constituents; seeking balance in their personal, professional, and spiritual life; working on what matters; focusing on relationships; learning from adversity; and monitoring their effectiveness. (MLH)

This study examined the relation of learning disabilities (LD) and gender with emotional intelligence (as measured by the Emotional Quotient Inventory) in 128 college students. Analyses indicated significant differences between students with and without LD on stress management and adaptability, between men and women students on interpersonal…

Describes the skills needed by teachers to work effectively with parents. Explains the use of active listening, "I" messages, correct diagnosis of problems, and synergistic problem-solving. Asserts that as these tools become part of a teacher's repertoire of skills, they begin to feel natural and teachers become proficient and…

This article discusses research findings in increasing language skills in children with autism, assessing and teaching precursors relating to positive outcome, the importance of family involvement in intervention, best practices for communicative interventions, interrelationships between language and other autistic behaviors, and the social and…

Describes an adventure-therapy program run by Woodswomen in conjunction with the Minnesota Department of Corrections, designed to help women offenders learn new skills and ways of being that will help them stay out of jail. Discusses leadership considerations, a parallel program for their children, and the application of risk-taking skills for…

Examined data from NICHD study to determine relationship of children's child care experience to peer competence at 24 and 36 months, after controlling for effects of family and child characteristics. Found consistent, modest relations between early child-care experiences and peer competencies. Maternal sensitivity and children's cognitive and…

Explored in two studies disparities between how students with different degrees of extroversion and introversion engaged in small-group discussions requiring construction and critique of arguments. Found that extroverted students exhibited a greater tendency to use conflictual discourse, whereas introverted students worked with one another…

Study assessed the role of children's aggression and three indices of social competence (peer-preferred behaviors, teacher-preferred behaviors, school adjustment) in students' perceived relationships with their teachers among elementary school students. Poor school adjustment, particularly for boys, was associated with more negatively perceived…

Investigates relationships among a diverse sample of elementary students' social skills, problem behaviors, academic competence, and academic achievement. Results indicate that social skills are positively predictive of concurrent levels of academic achievement and problem behaviors are negatively predictive of concurrent academic achievement.…

Examines the acceptability and effectiveness ratings of three psychosocial interventions for childhood depression among school psychologist practitioners. Interventions included cognitive restructuring, self-control therapy, and social skills training. Cognitive restructuring and self-control therapy were rated as significantly more acceptable and…

Fifty-four adolescents, either with or without a sibling with a disability, completed questionnaires measuring self-efficacy, peer competence, and maternal attitudes toward and modeling of prosocial and empathic behavior. None of the measures differed significantly between those whose siblings did or did not have disabilities. Process-oriented…

The effectiveness of a peer imitation intervention with three preschool children with autism and one with developmental delays was studied. Results indicated participants increased peer imitation behaviors in small group and free play settings. Increases were also seen in social behavior and in levels of nonsocial engagement. (Contains…

This article discusses the difficulty with which children with social disabilities establish and maintain friendships, as well as the significance of this difficulty within the school setting. Practical classroom strategies are illustrated, as well as interventions that target select social-skills deficits frequently encountered by students with…

This article discusses characteristics of students with Asperger syndrome (AS), especially those germane to educators, and methods most appropriate for supporting and enhancing the educational experiences of children and youth with AS. Effective social interventions and supports, behavioral interventions, and academic accommodations are described.…

An alternative model of social skills instruction that does not assume social skill deficits, but rather deficits in self-regulatory behavior, was used with three boys with severe behavior disorders. Self monitoring procedures were used to cue social skills, were effective in altering participant's social behaviors, and created maintained positive…