Objective: Background: Children with velocardiofacial syndrome (VCFS), a contiguous deletion syndrome, have an increased prevalence of attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Method: The authors compared youth with VCFS+ADHD (from the SUNY Upstate VCFS Research Program) to those with ADHD but not VCFS (from the Massachusetts General…

This article presents a previously unreported symptom of obsessive-compulsive disorder. The young people reported describe a fear of turning into someone or something else or taking on unwanted characteristics. We have called this transformation obsession. The bizarre nature of this obsession had led to misdiagnosis and inappropriate treatments in…

This proceedings document presents a series of papers critically examining the complex issue of full inclusion of students with emotional or behavioral disorders. It contains presentations by two keynote speakers: "Caring for Students with Emotional/Behavioral Disorders amidst School Reform" (Jo Webber) and "Planning for Inclusion:…

South Area Alternative School is a disciplinary center for conduct disordered adolescents in Broward County, Florida. The center is governed by a school-wide environmental structure so positive that negative behavior is met by appropriate consequences rather than punishment. The intake procedure includes a tour of the facility, discussion of…

This booklet reviews the literature and offers procedures to reduce undesirable behavior in school settings. The following topics are addressed: definition of terms relating to behavior reduction procedures; environmental modification (changing the demands of a task, reducing the complexity of each step, or teaching a new skill); differential…

This document reviews problems in the identification and assessment of behavioral impairment in young students. Several models of emotional disturbance are reviewed and characteristics of behavior problems are outlined. Assessment methods discussed include observation of student behavior patterns and more formal instruments (such as the "Neonatal…

The position paper examines issues related to serving behaviorally impaired (BI) students in rural areas. Under-identification of BI students in rural areas is noted and possible reasons (such as questions about the adequacy of existing screening procedures) are suggested. Obstacles to service delivery are pointed out, as is the need for a more…

The report summarizes a needs assessment in the area of inservice training for teachers of behaviorally impaired students in Nebraska. Procedures for conducting the needs assessment are described in terms of three functions: planning (involving collaboration of a number of agencies), data collection (a Professional Development Needs Survey was…

This manual provides information for volunteers with the North Carolina Division of Youth Services. It describes the Division's history in developing correctional facilities, its philosophy and goals, and the administration of its training schools and detention centers. It cites examples of volunteer involvement in the areas of administrative and…

This paper discusses the need for screening programs to identify seriously emotionally disturbed students and describes the development and trial of a screening instrument for identifying probable cases from among possible cases. The Quick Screening Inventory (QSI) is a brief, easy-to-use instrument that is directly related to the definition of…

The relationship between mental illness and the practice of naming a son after the father was investigated. Plank and Cameron suggested that individuals who carry their father's name often live under the father's shadow, and this might influence the social/emotional development of the individual. Previous reports of rates of mental illness among…

The process approach to teaching writing can be a useful tool to develop important skills in emotionally disturbed/behavior disordered students. Skills such as self-exploration, self-expression, problem solving, risk taking, and interaction with others can be improved through the writing process. An enhanced self-concept is another product of this…

Many mental health professionals ignore chemical addiction, whereas many chemical dependency professionals see addiction as the entire problem and ignore everything else. This study investigated differences between addicts and non-addicts on the Tennessee Self Concept Scale. Subjects were undergraduate and graduate students, selected from a…

The Identifying School Behavior Problems program is a computer based system for developing and implementing individualized education plans for the social-emotional skills area. Designed for use with troubled children, the program systematically leads the teacher through processes of assessment, instruction, and recordkeeping using a menu system of…

The adjustment and competence patterns of boys with conduct disorders were investigated using a developmental approach to psychopathology. The sample consisted of 438 boys divided into two matched subgroups: boys with and without conduct disorders. In each subgroup, three age groups were defined. The Conners Abbreviated Symptom Questionnaire and…