Describes typical developmental traits for different age groups of campers to help camp counselors understand them. Lists characteristics such as curiosity for ages 5-7, group awareness for ages 10-12, conformity and self-awareness for ages 12-15, and expansive and changing ambitions for ages 15-17. (CDS)

This article discusses the evidence behind two approaches to psychopharmacological management in children with autism: selecting and treating target symptoms or treatment or curing the primary social impairment underlying autism. The effectiveness of stimulants, antidepressants, melatonin, naltrexone, fenfluramine, and secretin is appraised. The…

This article discusses the difficulties some elementary children with hearing impairments have in developing social skills. The need to promote language development, to provide ample communication opportunities, and to analyze the level of social understanding is stressed. Positive reinforcement, provision of clear, concise rules for behavior, and…

Studied the effects of the cooperative teaching method on the development of social helping behavior in 4 groups of 11-year-olds, 95 in all. Results indicate that it is possible to promote helping behavior if the children are given the opportunity to practice with several other children, but not if they always work with the same child. (SLD)

Demonstrates quantitatively that children with learning disabilities can improve and maintain social and oral expressive language (speaking) skills through a creative drama program with an emphasis on specific social and oral language usage. Demonstrates how social skills may be targeted successfully by developing instruments appropriate to…

Social and moral development, like intellectual development, is a process by which learners actively construct meaning. Conventional character education, based on behaviorism, conservatism, and religious dogma, assumes that values can be asserted into passive receptacles. To help children develop the capacity for moral deliberation when called…

Understanding why this hidden minority of adolescents is at a high risk for suicide is important in developing and implementing interventions through a developmental guidance program. Statistical profiles of gay, lesbian, and bisexual students are presented. Suicide risk factors are discussed and preventive and responsive interventions are…

A semistructured interview was used with ten adolescent coresearchers who were participants in a gay and lesbian organization. Beginning with a process of "epoche," personal biases were released. Interviews were analyzed to uncover common concerns. Textural description was followed by deeper structural description. Implications for…

Counselors must become active participants in the practice of full inclusion of children with disabilities into classrooms with nondisabled youngsters. Full inclusion is distinguished from mainstreaming; successful models are reviewed. Topics of collaboration and consultation among counselors and teachers, building social adjustment, and…

The author of "In the Shelter of Each Other" addresses how to remedy lack of community that is disorienting families. Parents work too many hours. Adults are spending too much time with TV and computers, voting down bond issues, and providing less communal space for children. Parents need to be convinced that creating community…

Describes a multifaceted program established in response to the complex psychological and social needs of immigrant children. The program is based in an elementary public school in a joint partnership with a graduate school of social work. Program focuses on Latino immigrant children, although the principles of the program are sufficiently generic…

A review of six journal articles on the psychological and psychosocial development of children with hearing impairments indicates that while all suggest that children are at-risk in their psychological and psychosocial development, the articles must be interpreted with great caution since they are based on small study populations. (Contains…

This study investigated the duration, frequency, and trajectory of passive behavior in 14 children (developmental age 1-3) with Down syndrome and 14 controls over a 47-minute independent play session. Subjects exhibited more time in passive behavior and for some, passivity increased commensurate with time spent in the play session. (Contains…

This article reports descriptive information on the relationship between social competence and amount and type of peer interaction for nine adolescents with mental retardation attending a regular high school. Results found individual differences in patterns of peer interaction with a tendency toward more frequent interaction with peers with mental…

Research on the effects of home computer use on children's development indicates that: computer access increases total time spent with the television or computer rather than other activities; computer games can build computer literacy; home computer use slightly increases academic performance; increased Internet use may increase loneliness and…