This article discusses sensory processing concepts and their application to children with Asperger syndrome (AS). Basic characteristics of the sensory systems are outlined, a model for sensory processing is described, and a summary of data supporting the model in work with children with AS is presented. Case studies are included. (Contains…

This article reviews the literature on the development of literacy, showing literacy beginnings in the infant and young child within a literate family community, literacy development in a literate school community, and literacy specialization in a teacher education community. The literature is applied to preparation of teachers of students with…

Presents study results of relationships between adolescents' perceptions of family and school environments and measures of their creativity, morality, and self-concept. Reports parallel forms of environment schedules to assess the social psychological contexts of families and schools. Concludes that self-concept, morality, and creativity have…

The aim of this research was to explore unwanted sexual behaviour amongst young people. Sexual aggression was operationalized at three levels: "verbal", "non-verbal/intimidating" and "physically violent". A total of 1,700 Dutch adolescents completed a questionnaire that included six clusters of possible determinants…

People worry about dropouts because they believe that leaving high school before graduation is detrimental, both to the individual and to society. This view does not include students' view of the situation, and in order to clarify students' perceptions of at-risk factors, qualitative data on high school seniors were collected. The central question…

Qualitative, in-depth interviews of resilient at-risk students were used to identify factors that these students believe contributed to their success in school. Resilient students in six urban, suburban, and rural school divisions in the Richmond (Virginia) area were nominated by principals and guidance counselors. Of the 115 identified, 62 were…

This study used a social constructivist framework to examine how one at-risk fifth-grader constructed her literacy through social interaction in her nonschool, prior school, and present school experiences. Through open-ended interviews and classroom observations, experiences that fostered and hindered the child's literacy development were…

Eight issues of this research journal on gifted children include the following topics: (1) Profile of a Gifted Child: The Johns Hopkins Program for Mathematically Precocious Youth--Fall 1986; (2) The Impact of the Arts on Our Civilization: Excerpts from Colloquium III (Louisville, Kentucky)--Summer 1987; (3) Why Are Asians so Smart? An…

A longitudinal, process-oriented study was conducted to compare the content and effects of day care attendance with care in the home. Collection of baseline data involved 120 children of 12 through 18 months of age. Sixty of these children spent their weekdays in 1 of 12 day care centers, while the other 60 were cared for in homes by their mothers…

The 12 articles in this publication contain information designed to help parents of preschool and elementary school children understand the complex psychological and sociological process of language development and its relationship to learning to read. The articles also provide specific suggestions for parents who wish to participate in their…

A literature review is summarized on the effects of educational and environmental factors on student achievement. Environmental factors include background and community influences, such as social, economic, racial, educational and achievement levels; home environment; and qualities of students, such as academic readiness, motivation, and social…

The Brookline Early Education Project (BEEP) has been initiated by the Public Schools of Brookline, Massachusetts to help parents provide an optimum learning environment for their children throughout the preschool years. Enrollment in BEEP begins at birth and the project provides educational and diagnostic services, including pediatric care. Each…

The experiences of children are affected by both their ethnicity and socioeconomic status. Black children's performance in school reflects the group's marginality. The following issues affect the child's educability: (1) double stratification; (2) psychological risk; (3) adaptational processes; and (4) the relationship between psychological health…

In a study of over 500 16-year-old Australian students from different social classes, differences in educational and occupational aspirations were found to be related most strongly to students' perceptions of their family learning environments. Social class differences were also noted; students' perceptions of school environments were least…

This fact sheet on cerebral palsy is written in both English and Spanish. First, it provides a definition of cerebral palsy and considers various causes (e.g., an insufficient amount of oxygen reaching the fetal or newborn brain). The fact sheet then offers incidence figures and explains characteristics of the three main types of cerebral palsy:…