Evaluates the usefulness of the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) as a routine measure to screen for emotional and behavioral disorders in children and adolescents referred to a community child and adolescent mental health service (CAMHS). Results reveal that the SDQ is sensitive in detecting emotional and behavioral problems and may…

Ninety-two preservice or inservice teachers were asked to categorize characteristics and behaviors according to whether each described a student identified with an emotional/behavior disability (EBD), who is gifted, both, or neither. Results revealed stereotypical thinking in the identification of characteristics of students labeled EBD. Results…

This article compared views of 23 incarcerated and 23 non-incarcerated female adolescents about their performance and knowledge of communication. Although findings on pragmatic practices and on knowledge of conversational rules were similar for the two groups, views of the incarcerated teenagers suggested they did not perceive themselves as…

A case study of a 25-year-old man with moderate mental retardation who engaged in self-injurious behavior included a functional analysis to determine the effects of the presence and absence of respite care. Results demonstrated a relationship between the presence of self-injury and the occurrence of respite care the previous evening. Altering the…

Evaluation of a training procedure to improve staff skills in the preventative and reactive management of severely challenging behaviors in a small residential treatment unit found reduced (though not statistically significant) behavioral incidents, use of major reactive strategies (restraint and emergency medication), and staff and resident…

Discusses initiation of school-based adolescent suicide response programs by reviewing recommended strategies and issues. Issues include program rationale, responsibilities of schools and teachers, and concerns about the impact of programs. Strategies include using appropriate instructional principles, maintaining systemic/ecological focus,…

The effect of neuroleptic withdrawal on postural task performance of 20 adults with mental retardation was examined. Assessments were conducted at baseline and monthly intervals, extending to one year following complete medication withdrawal, when significant changes in amount of postural motion and sequential pattern of postural movement…

Two convergent validity studies of the Behavioral and Emotional Rating Scale (BERS) were conducted with primary students. It was compared to the Systematic Screening for Behavior Disorders and the Scale for Assessing Emotional Disturbance. The BERS demonstrated adequate convergent validity and is recommended for identifying students with special…

The rationale for inclusion is summarized and then the conceptual orientation underlying a special class for students with emotional or behavioral disorders (EBD) is articulated. A program designed for a self-contained special education classroom for students (grades 5-6) with EBD is described and the positive outcomes of the program are…

This article describes a service learning project for students with emotional and behavioral disorders attending a special education day treatment program. Students worked with senior citizens to beautify a senior housing complex. It describes the project's structure, student characteristics, and quantitative and qualitative data collection, both…

A national survey of outdoor behavioral healthcare programs that annually serve over 10,000 clients and their families found that over 80 percent of programs were licensed by state agencies. Private placements outnumbered adjudicated programs by nearly five to one, and less than 25 percent of client treatment costs were covered by insurance…

This pilot study aimed to establish the psychiatric morbidity in children remanded to prison custody using an age appropriate instrument, the K-SADS. The 19 boys interviewed showed high rates of affective disorders, substance misuse and conduct disorder. Study highlights the need to develop child and adolescent mental health services for children…

This study examined conformity to the Program Standards for Treatment Foster Care among 42 statewide programs. Findings suggest fair to good overall conformity, with considerable variation among programs. A discussion of methodological and substantive considerations for future research and evaluation using this approach is included. (Contains…

This article introduces the use of nonaversive behavior management with persons exhibiting undesirable behaviors. Definitions are suggested and three fundamental elements are explained: (1) a nonaversive set of procedures; (2) social validation criteria emphasizing personal dignity; and (3) the prohibition or restriction of certain aversive or…

Examined relations between psychiatric disorder and coronary heart disease (CHD) in 77 patients with chest pain, and compared coping profiles of chest pain patients with and without psychiatric disorders and CHD. Psychiatric patients with no medical disease were also studied. Results are discussed in the context of illness behavior and…