This article critically evaluates social functioning of children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and attention deficit disorder without hyperactivity. Differences are evaluated within F. Gresham's model of social functioning, which delineates skill deficits, performance deficits, self-control skill deficits, and self-control…

This study explored psychosocial diversity of two groups of gifted adolescents: those who feel different from their nongifted peers (n=379), and those who do not (n=94). Comparisons between groups on demographic variables, perceptions of self and other students, and school behavior showed the latter group manifesting greater desire for social…

Examined communication in the family and peer systems in relation to children's sociometric status, measuring turn-taking skills and utterance types for 43 preschoolers during interactions with mothers, fathers, and peers. Rejected-status children demonstrated turn-taking styles that included irrelevant turns, interruptions, simultaneous talking,…

Examined the relation between adolescents' perceptions of global self-worth and their perceptions of different types of social support such as approval, emotional support, and instrumental aid from significant others. Results suggest that distinctions between the three different types of perceived support appears to be meaningful and that the…

Three peer caregivers with moderate mental retardation worked to improve the occupation level of a passive man with profound mental retardation. The peer caregivers carried out meaningful activities with the trainee for 15-minute periods. The trainee received social reinforcement; the caregivers received tangible reinforcement. Use of multiple…

High school students completed achievement, psychosocial competence, behavior problems, and internalized stress. Results showed that the level of parent authoritativeness in adolescents' peer network benefits adolescents above and beyond the positive impact of parenting in their home. (ET)

A survey of 166 high school students without disabilities in Washington yielded 7 categories of perceived positive outcomes of integration experiences, such as increased responsiveness to needs of others, increased appreciation of human diversity, and development of personal values. More positive outcomes were associated with more contact,…

Examines the applicability of the medieval kingdom social role topology with kindergarten children and assesses the association between the social roles children assume and seven nonbehavioral variables. Confirmed hypotheses that the topology could be distilled from a sample of kindergarten children (n=173) and that specific nonbehavioral…

The development of pointing, reaching, and other communicative gestures in 22 preverbal children with Down syndrome, ages 21 to 47 months, was studied in two contexts (referential/declarative versus instrumental/imperative) and with mothers versus agemates with Down syndrome. Considerations relating to delayed language development with this…

A college teacher's survey of 100 freshmen found only 11 who planned to study in groups, and that most would do so for subjects they believed the most difficult, particularly those requiring quantitative problem-solving and those in which assessment was more frequent. Most believed that reading and writing were solitary, not group, tasks. (MSE)

Studied the changes in the social exchanges of 30 young children with disabilities with their mothers and a familiar playmate at 4 data points over a 16-month period. Found that the children engaged in more and increasingly social exchanges over time, showed more vocal behavior, and completed more object-related acts. (AC)

Videorecorded stimuli were used to assess social information processing patterns in 3 domains (peer group entry, response to provocation, and response to authority directive) in 259 first, second, and third graders. Teacher and peer ratings of behavior competence supported the hypothesis that children's behavioral competence is a function of…

Examined children's social status, friendship, and adjustment. Found that peer relationships contributed uniquely to children's socioemotional adjustment, academic performance, and self-concept. Peer status also affected adjustment, with peer rejection and neglect being significant negative predictors. Effects of friendship appeared positive, with…

Two children with autism, aged 10, were exposed to peer-implemented pivotal response training (PRT). Typical peers implemented PRT strategies by modeling, role playing, and didactic instruction. Both children with autism maintained prolonged interactions with the peer, initiated play and conversations, and increased engagement in language and…

Structural aspects of school-based peer networks of adolescents in grades 6 through 12 were mapped in 3 school systems in a major Midwestern city. The results indicated that female students were more connected to their peer network than were male students, and that peer networks became more exclusive with increasing grade. (MDM)