This study demonstrated the increase of social interaction skills in four preschool children with autism as a result of a daily 10-minute intervention emphasizing naturalistic teaching tactics designed to stimulate children's play and interaction with others. Two of the four children continued to display high levels of interaction during the…

Agencies (n=117) providing services to individuals with disabilities were surveyed regarding professional terminology, philosophy, programs, and perceptions of Special Olympics. Results suggest that Special Olympics should place more emphasis on inclusion opportunities and provide opportunities for a wider variety of individuals with disabilities…

This study examined the impact of educational placement in either general education or self-contained classrooms on the social life of 18 elementary-age students with severe disabilities. Results indicated that students placed in general education had more social contact with peers without disabilities, received more social support, and had…

A man with a developmental disability discusses the self-advocacy movement, the cruelty of stigmatizing labels such as "mentally retarded," and the need for greater involvement in professional organizations such as the American Association on Mental Retardation. He proposes a joint conference with a self-advocacy organization. (DB)

Traces the Montessori view of adolescent social development and provides illustrations in short-term rural life with 12- to 14-year olds. Provides clear signs pointing to Erdkinder based on the theory that adolescents are in the midst of a social transformation and they want to be treated with respect. (MOK)

Thomas Greenfield argued passionately for a theory of organizations based on social construction. He advocated research stressing subjectively held meanings and successfully blended aesthetics with values. This he accomplished through a "shock aesthetic" and by bringing alternative, interdisciplinary modes of seeing to educational…

Sixteen students with physical disabilities participated in interviews regarding their social involvement on campus. Students identified perceived lack of acceptance by peers, transportation, scheduling of extracurricular activities, and need for assistive care as primary barriers to involvement, whereas identification with subgroups was…

A study found that the social life of three adults with severe intellectual disabilities improved by removing social barriers through keeping a personal schedule, social activity scheduling, creating a personal information sheet, developing a friendship form, keeping a photo address and activity file, and receiving regular feedback. (CR)

A study analyzed whether obsessive behavior could be used functionally as the theme of an appropriate social game and whether the game would increase social interactions between three children (ages 5-8) with autism and their peers. Results indicated that after being taught a socially appropriate game, social interactions increased dramatically.…

Surveyed Quebec francophone college students regarding their acculturation orientation towards immigrants in general and toward valued and devalued immigrants. Overall, respondents preferred individualism and integrationism over assimilationism, segregationism, and exclusionism. However, individualism and integrationism were more strongly endorsed…

Reveals how today's college planners and architects are rethinking residence hall design to enhance a sense of community. Offers design ideas for creating living spaces that are more conducive to student social and academic interaction. (GR)

Examines factors related to immigrant incorporation and voting participation, adding immigrant-related variables to a model controlling for individual resources, social incorporation, institutional barriers, and contexts of political mobilization. Current Population Survey data indicate that there is little support for straight-line…

This study probed acculturation in Israel of immigrant students from the former USSR from the perception of the host society and the students. The finding from a questionnaire distributed to Israeli-born and immigrant students indicated that most but not all of the Israel-born students applied an assimilatory model while the immigrants were split…

Purpose: Using the life stress model of psychological well-being, in this study we examined risks and resources predicting the occurrence of both positive and negative affect among older Asian Indian immigrants who experienced stressful life events. Design and Methods: We collected data through a telephone survey of 226 respondents (aged 50 years…

Based on data drawn from an empirical research project in four UK universities, this article presents a picture of student positions in undergraduate classes as a product of the relationship between the discursive fields of discipline, institution and gender. It begins by providing a description of some contrasting features of academic…