Results indicated that, on the whole, social interactions among behaviorally disordered elementary Ss were both positive and reciprocial in nature. In addition, no discernible differences were noted between the target-initiated social behavior of high- and low-status students. Specific differences were found in peer social behavior directed toward…

An 18-year-old youth placed in a residential state mental health facility because of social skills deficits participated in treatment over a 48-day period in which the student was observed in four settings. Results suggest that the skills taught--greetings and thanking behavior--were maintained and generalized to three natural settings. (Author/CL)

The observational study examined the frequency and severity of misbehaviors of 98 behaviorally disordered adolescents on both mainstreamed and categorical bus transportation arrangements. Data indicated a dramatic increase in frequency and severity of misbehavior during the period of categorical transportation with a parallel increase in the…

A 5-step procecdure was used to establish item bias on the Social Behavior Assessment Scale with Mexican-American children, (grades 1-3) as subjects. Results revealed that Mexican Americans are less likely to be given negative scores than are Anglos. Moreover, teachers appeared to regard problem behaviors of the two groups differently. (Author/CL)

Special education for the behaviorally disordered is described as being at an adolescent stage of development. The current state of the profession is compared with such characteristics of adolescence as overestimation of abilities and importance, underestimation of needs, lack of tolerance for ambiguity, and uncertain identity. (Author/JW)

Meta-analysis of 70 studies examining the efficacy of drug treatment for severe behavior disorders indicate a modest positive effect for drug intervention. Subsets of data aggregating behavioral, cognitive, and physiological outcomes are examined as well as variation for drug effects in terms of subject characteristics and design variables.…

Teachers rated 63 first graders on three rating scales: the Quay-Peterson Behavior Problem Checklist, the Miller School Behavior Checklist, and a scale involving frequency estimates of disruptive behaviors. Data analysis revealed considerable independence of the major types of measurement (direct behavioral observation vs. global ratings).…

Teacher-completed Behavior Problem Checklists on 727 behaviorally disordered younger and older boys and girls were factor-analyzed. Results confirmed the primacy and pervasiveness of aggression-disruption or conduct disorder among factors that classify children as behaviorally disordered. Also consistently found for all age groups was a factor…

Six behaviorally disordered sixth, seventh, and eighth graders participated in jogging and outdoor reading sessions. Three Ss also engaged in winning and losing football contests. An examination of the data indicated that a decrease in talk-outs and increase in teacher ratings and problems completed were associated with vigorous exercise.…

Sixty students files were rated by 60 school psychologists and 60 elementary teachers of the behaviorally disordered. Traditional types of data (academic and intellectual measures) were rated as being available and of highest quality, whereas behaviorally oriented data (e.g., actual behavior data) were available, but of lowest quality. (Author/CL)

This article introduces three papers on life space interviewing, by reviewing the history of the method as originated in Fritz Redl's "When We Deal with Children" (1966). The fundamentals of the technique's therapeutic applications for children with behavioral disorders, initial reactions to the technique, and ongoing debate are…

Parents (n=58) rated the acceptability of behavioral treatments recommended to them for their children's behavior problems and completed an attribution measure. Results indicated that a significant, negative correlation exists between physical attribution ratings and acceptability ratings of behavioral treatments, with the magnitude of the…

A survey of 71 adolescents with behavioral/emotional disorders found significant differences between this group of adolescents and their nondisabled peers in the frequency of suicide ideation and suicide attempts but not in rationales. Similar differences were found between males and females in each group. (Author/JDD)

This article discusses how and why scientific work directed toward behavioral disorders is almost a perfect metaphor for the dilemma of the social sciences as a whole. It argues that, although the social character of behavioral disorders means that our knowledge is imperfect, we cannot escape responsibility for decisions made to relieve the…

Challenging behavior exhibited by young children is becoming recognized as a serious impediment to social-emotional development and a harbinger of severe maladjustment in school and adult life. Consequently, professionals and advocates from many disciplines have been seeking to define, elaborate, and improve on existing knowledge related to the…