A review of estimates of the incidence of emotional disturbance/problem behavior in school-aged children leads to the conclusion that schools should anticipate a need for alternative programming for the two-three percent of their students predicted to have recurrent or persistent problems in adjusting to school situations. (Author)

A summary of findings on consequences of maltreatment in early childhood and a discussion of major developmental issues during infancy and toddlerhood are presented. Salient features of sensitive and insensitive parenting during those periods and implications of this information for school psychologists are discussed. (JAZ)

Recent surveys of elementary and secondary schools regarding student enrollment and placement in special education suggest overrepresentation of blacks in classes for educable or trainable mentally retarded and seriously emotionally disturbed students. Underrepresentation of Blacks, Hispanics, and American Indians was observed in gifted and…

An initial exploration of the validity of 15 scales designed to assess adaptive ego processes in adolescence is presented. Diabetic youngsters, psychiatric patients, and high school students with no illness are compared using the scales. Correlations are found between the scales and a separate, conceptually related measure of ego development.…

Art therapy and group discussion aimed at self-exploration and interpersonal learning formed the core of a group treatment model for 13 mentally retarded, emotionally impaired adolescents. Students were divided into two groups according to levels of functioning. Group structure and issues processed by group members are described in detail. (JW)

California public school children (n=84, aged 3-21) with mild mental retardation who were referred for evaluation of psychiatric, medical, or other disorders were studied to create a profile of children for whom schools may need critical assistance. Associated psychiatric and biomedical problems were evident, while levels of psychosocial…

A program is described which successfully improved writing and communication skills in adolescents with learning and behavior problems. The students, inpatients at a mental health hospital, wrote "jargon journals" on topics from a student-generated list. The journals had therapeutic as well as academic benefits. (Author/JDD)

Analysis of feedback provided by 40 teachers in self-contained special education classes serving learning disabled, emotionally handicapped, or educable mentally retarded students discerned no differences by type of handicap involved or in comparison to regular classroom teachers. Results raised questions concerning the appropriateness of…

School psychologists have experienced difficulties in assessing students' behavior disorders, because of lack of training and problems associated with the traditional medical model of abnormal behavior. An alternative assessment model is described in terms of its five principles: problem solving; functional analysis; multiple operationalism;…

Disability research and program evaluation have generally been viewed with suspicion in Indian country because research designs, procedures, instruments, and interpretation and dissemination of outcomes have often ignored potential cultural conflicts. This paper explores a national evaluation in eight tribal communities that established systems of…

This workbook is designed to help Florida students in the juvenile justice system plan for their desired postschool outcomes. It includes activities to help students make good decisions that will affect their entry into adult life. "Dare to Know" boxes are found throughout the workbook and provide important information to students to…

This brief paper presents initial findings midway through the first year of implementing a school-based model of providing mental health services to children and families living in urban, low-income communities and provided by community-based mental health providers. The model emphasizes the central role of ecological factors in childhood conduct…

Through direct observations of activities, conversations, and social interactions involving children with emotional or behavioral challenges, this study investigated practices child care staff used to include these children in their program, as well as child to child interactions, and supports put in place for times of transition between…

This final report describes a one-year qualitative research study that explores service coordination to children with emotional or behavioral disorders (EBD) and their families. First, the project's conceptual framework, an ecological approach, is briefly explained. Next, the concept of service coordination is discussed, noting the role of the…

This booklet provides an overview of the characteristics and needs of children with emotional and behavior disorders during the elementary and secondary school years. Each section also includes examples of projects, programs, and interventions that practitioners have implemented with positive results in school settings. After an introductory…