A study compared the Social Responsiveness Scale (SRS) with the Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised in 61 children (ages 4-16) with autism. Correlations between the test scores for DSM-IV criterion sets were on the order of 0.7. SRS scores were unrelated to I.Q. and exhibited inter-rater reliability on the order of 0.8. (Contains references.)…

Explores parental participation in school governance utilizing data obtained from field research in Uganda. Argues that parent perceptions of the accountability of the school affect the way they participate in education. Indicates that accountability is one of the crucial factors for realizing local democracy through decentralization. (CAJ)

Argues that Ben Spiecker and Jan Steutel's use of the term mental retard is offensive and using either the United Kingdom terminology of learning disabled or the internationally accepted term intellectually disabled are more acceptable. Addresses rights of the learning disabled to sexual freedom. Considers implications of these issues for moral…

A study compared engaged behavior and social interactions of 10 elementary students with developmental disabilities in inclusive classrooms that ascribed to multiple intelligences (MI) pedagogy and typical classrooms. In MI classrooms, participants were observed more frequently to be engaged in multiple response activities and spent more time…

This article reviews eight comprehensive social-emotional curricula for children under age 6 and describes two promising curricula currently under investigation. These programs have been successful in the promotion of interpersonal skills and the reduction or prevention of challenging behavior. Attention is given to the level of evidence or…

Discusses the meaning and importance of sound as evidenced in film and music, and outlines the relevance of sound for cognitive and social development and personal growth. Suggests that teachers enable students to explore the meaning of sound by creating their own multimedia projects. (AEF)

Discusses how young children learn the art of communication and negotiation through conversations with their peers. Notes how such verbal explorations help children comfort one another, become assimilated into other children's games, and resolve conflicts. (HTH)

This study examined the relation between teachers' report of family involvement in school and children's social and academic competencies during kindergarten, measuring families' attitudes toward schools and families' activities with schools. Findings suggest that teachers' reports of family attitudes are a more consistent predictor of outcomes…

Describes a teacher's and preschool students' experiences with the classroom inclusion of an autistic child. Specifically addresses: (1) how social skills affect academic skills; (2) teaching social competency; (3) coaching group entry; (4) successful group entry and sustained social interaction; and (5) lessons learned from inclusion of a special…

This article describes the development of the Preschool Taxonomy of Problem Situations (PTOPS). An examination of the PTOPS using a clinical sample of 42 maltreated children (ages 2-5) indicated the PTOPS subscales were high in internal reliability and were highly convergent with subscales of the Preschool Behavior Questionnaire. (Contains…

A study examined the social pretend play and conversational behaviors of three children (ages 4-6) with language impairment in dyadic interactions with peers. In all dyads, social pretend play yielded greater conversational success than other forms of play. Quality of play varied as a function of partner characteristics. (Contains references.)…

Twenty children with severe interactional and communication difficulties at age 2 underwent a comprehensive assessment for autism, and were reassessed at age 4-5. Diagnosis of autistic spectrum disorders at age 2 was found to be reliable and stable. Children whose social scores deteriorated tended to have had more behavior problems. (Contains…

The communist regime in Romania destroyed civil society by breeding suspicion and distrust. Viata, an adventure education program in a depressed coal mining region, assists social redevelopment by providing youth with free, positive experiences of self-efficacy and interconnectedness within the larger web of community. (TD)

In response to a paper on risk and resilience models in learning disabilities research, this article supports the original author's clarification of conceptual inconsistencies and emphasizes two mediating factors within the third wave of resilience research: the critical role of emotions and the importance of reciprocity in relations with both…

A study of the effects of assertiveness training to enhance the social/assertiveness skills of 36 adolescents with visual impairments found that parents, the students, teachers, and observers judged the adolescents' social skills differently. However, the training did have some specific effect on increasing assertiveness. (Contains references.)…