Examines the issue of lack of participation within life skills programs and the negative consequences this may have on participant learning. To counteract the negative effects of underparticipation, a program called the Conversation Group was developed. The process, content, and merits of the program are described. (Author/RB)

Describes how providing leadership opportunities for children during the 30-minute circle time in a kindergarten class illustrates social curriculum. Includes discussion of developing social skills through daily routines and extending learning through social interactions. Offers suggestions for teachers, including modeling desired behavior,…

Examines ways that outdoor leaders can address the needs of individuals in a group context, balance the needs of group processes against course objectives, recognize and deal with issues of power and authority in groups, and address psychological health and safety matters. Focuses on leader awareness and behavior and on the leader-participant…

Early emergent patterns of behavioral problems, social skills deficits, and language delays were examined in 259 three-year-olds enrolled in Head Start classrooms. Findings indicated the children were at elevated risk for behavioral and language problems and that children with behavioral problems were more likely to have low language scores.…

A study of 41 preschool males with fragile X and 16 age- and IQ-matched controls were rated by their mothers on behavior rating scales. The males with fragile X syndrome were distinguished from controls in the following areas: motor skills deficits, increased initial avoidance, decreased social withdrawal, and positive mood. (Contains references.)…

Surveys of 78 general educators and 94 special educators indicate that general educators used many, but not all, behavior analytic instructional strategies considered to be best practice. In addition, special educators regarded social interactions and friendships and self-determination skills as the most important skills for successful inclusion…

A study combined communication book training, a milieu approach, and systematic vocabulary selection to teach a nonspeaking adolescent with mental retardation to communicate in three settings. Results indicated rapid learning of communication book use in meal preparation and employment training and more delayed increased in small group…

This article presents definitions of terms and issues involved in early identification of social/emotional competence in young children. Screening tools for identifying social/emotional difficulties in the birth to 3-year-old population are reviewed and recommendations are made for effective early identification and intervention systems. (Contains…

A study investigated out-of-school outcomes for 505 students with disabilities. Conventional item analysis procedures were used to construct a priori quality-of-life composites (social relationships, employment, and independence) from 17 questionnaire variables. Results indicate that although quality of life is multidimensional, competence appears…

This study examined permanence of training given to preschool children for solving their interpersonal problems. Preliminary assessment after training showed a significant improvement in problem-solving abilities. However, evaluation completed 1 year later showed a decreased score on the test, suggesting that the preschoolers needed continuous…

Discusses how the genetic aspects of schizophrenia must be described within the interactive context of psychosocial stress. Suggests that the mental health profession must consider the environmental and social components of this condition, including the clients' relationships, families, and communities. States that psychotherapeutic interventions…

Examines the roles of childcare involvement and parent-child interaction quality on the development of school readiness and social skills among low-income, minority kindergarten children. Findings provide mixed evidence on the role of childcare exposure, with early entry into childcare predicting higher levels of social skills ratings and…

Four preschool children who exhibited aggressive methods for resolving social interaction conflicts were taught a problem-solving strategy. Results found that acquisition of the problem-solving strategy influenced the types of alternative solutions the children provided to social interaction conflicts. Students produced more prosocial resolutions…

A study explored the patterns of friendship among 14 teenagers with Down syndrome attending mainstream schools or resourced provision in mainstream schools. Students had very firm notions about the nature of friendship; however the friendship they envisaged did not always materialize due in part to geographical, practical, and safety concerns.…

This article considers both the intrapersonal and interpersonal issues that have historically caused difficulty for groups of gifted students, including self-knowledge and self-acceptance, irrational beliefs, need for independence, heightened sensitivity, frustration tolerance, unbalanced value, and tolerating others. Interventions are provided…