Four challenges in the emotional/behavioral disorders field are discussed: implementation of empirically validated screening procedures; better understanding of the curriculum and instruction currently used to educate students with emotional disturbances; investigation of the relationship between underachievement and externalizing behaviors; and…

Used observations and home visits to examine sex differences in language ability of 54 disadvantaged children at risk for poor language outcomes. Found that language difficulties increased over time, boys were at a constant disadvantage to girls in language development, and sex difference in language ability appeared even when families had similar…

Describes the coordination of health and human services from sites within schools. Discusses funding trends and the following proposed strategies: (1) case management; (2) networking; (3) "one-stop" services; and (4) administrative consolidation. Discusses steps for advocacy, leadership, participation, and funding at the policy and local…

Examined public school preschool programs for disadvantaged children and their developmental appropriateness by studying the programs' effects on children's language and memory skills and on classroom environment. Results showed that teachers could not distinguish their uninvolvement from overly and inappropriate academic involvement. Teachers did…

The implementation of the Rasch model during the longitudinal evaluation of a federally funded early-childhood preschool-intervention program is described. Results with 828 eighth graders show a functional relationship between years of early intervention and magnitude of effect on the life-skills competency variable. (SLD)

Describes the various direct and indirect effects of HIV and AIDS on children's development and the implications for early intervention assessment. HIV and AIDS effects include disorganization during the neonatal period, failure to thrive, motor difficulties, cognitive dysfunction, expressive language behavior, attention problems, and…

A survey of 62 early childhood educators in North Carolina and Tennessee found that respondents had frequent and significant concerns about their knowledge and utilization of assistive technology. Training areas were identified that address the concerns and barriers regarding assistive technology. Implications for preservice and inservice training…

This article reviews the clinical literature regarding self-injurious behavior in infants and young children with particular emphasis on the developmental aspects of the behavior. It also discusses ways that the behavior is identified, methods of clinical assessment, and appropriate clinical interventions. The final section addresses unmet…

In this study, we examined how effectively parents learn and apply the techniques of reinforcement, effective praise, instructive praise, direct teaching, and corrective teaching with noncompliant children in their homes. Four children considered at risk for antisocial behavior problems participated with their parents in the project. The parents…

Joint attention refers to an early developing set of behaviors that plays a critical role in both social and language development and is specifically impaired in children with autism. In a series of three studies, preschool teachers demonstrated the effectiveness of discrete trial instruction and pivotal response training strategies to teach joint…

This study measured the English and Spanish language proficiency and phonological sensitivity skills of Hispanic children who attended Head Start. Its primary objective was to determine the relationship between language proficiency and phonological sensitivity in English and Spanish independently, and whether this relationship differed in English…

Objective: To assess the risk and predictors of service disengagement in adolescents with first-episode psychosis (FEP) receiving their first treatment in a long-standing early intervention and prevention centre. Method: The Early Psychosis Prevention and Intervention Centre (EPPIC) in Australia admitted 157 adolescents, ages 15 to 18, with FEP…

This issue highlights five distinct studies. The first study looks at achievement and its association to Montessori programs, magnet programs, and traditional schooling programs. The second provides evidence on the efficacy of the Even Start program in comparison to Title I programs. The third examines the effects of full-day and half-day…

The author considers whether differences in genetic endowment may account for racial and ethnic differences in school readiness. While acknowledging an important role for genes in explaining differences "within" races, he nevertheless argues that environment explains most of the gap "between" blacks and whites, leaving little role for genetics.…

The difficulties encountered by students with hearing loss and special learning needs are often attributed exclusively to hearing loss, particularly when there are no other obvious physical or sensory handicaps. A Louisiana public school system has addressed this issue for the past 9 years and has included both regular and special education…