This article presents key ideas from Lev S. Vygotsky's social-interactionist zones of proximal development theory and applications of this theory to assessment and intervention with children having language impairments. A case study illustrates the steps in coordinating assessment and intervention. (Author/DB)

Alternatives is a project designed for youngsters, ages 11-15, who display serious conduct problems and severe learning deficiencies. The primary goal of the project is to prevent the development of a chronic antisocial orientation among youngsters who are at high risk for such an outcome. The interventions employed at Alternatives are based on…

This paper defines social withdrawal from a social skills perspective and presents a fourfold classification system of children's social skills deficits. The paper reviews the literature in discussing assessment procedures; social skills training strategies (modeling, coaching, peer-mediated interventions, and group contingencies); and…

This literature review focuses on behavioral intervention strategies for the reduction of school-related fears and anxieties. Major behavior therapy procedures are discussed: systematic desensitization and its variations, modeling, self-control, and cognitive behavioral approaches. General research trends in fear and anxiety reduction are also…

The article describes components of school-based programs that have demonstrated efficacy in treatment of depressed children and adolescents. Components include self-monitoring, activity scheduling, cognitive restructuring, attribution retraining, self-evaluation training, self-reinforcement training, and relaxation training. Results of studies…

Research evidence relative to three intervention strategies (medication, behavior modification, and cognitive training) was examined to determine the intervention effects on handicapped students' performance in personal/social, psychological processing, and educational skills domains. (PHR)

A classroom-oriented therapeutic program was devised for four pragmatically impaired preschoolers who showed little spontaneous language use within the classroom. Intervention strategies focused on facilitating interactions during free play and were based on four principles for practitioners: be child-oriented; engineer the environment; use…

This paper comprises a compilation of nine case studies of girls (aged 4-16 years) with Rett Syndrome. The educational settings involved are various and include private day school, public elementary school in both integrated and special needs classrooms, and a county-operated preschool program for handicapped children. Each case study outlines the…

This article considers how special and general educators can apply cognitive-behavioral techniques with academically at-risk students to improve their academic self-concept, improve study skills, help them control anger, reduce their anxiety and stress, and reduce their test anxiety. (DB)

The practicum's goal was to improve the listening skills, oral reading skills, and motivation toward oral reading of six learning-disabled third-grade students with auditory deficits. An intervention plan incorporated directed lessons, filmstrips, tapes, prepractice reading sessions, motivational techniques, and various auditory-visual activities.…

The results of four followup studies of adults with childhood diagnoses of learning disabilities were reviewed. The subjects' literacy skills, academic outcomes, occupational outcomes, and social/emotional adjustments were analyzed. Results showed that learning disabilities were not a lifelong handicapping condition if adequate treatment were…

Describes school-based Intervention Assistant Teams' (IATs) work with rural nonspecial education students experiencing regular-classroom difficulties. Teams evaluate students, recommend, and carry out intervention. Discusses team leadership, membership, and principals' and parents' roles. Describes potential IAT benefits for students, parents, and…

Parents and teachers of learning-disabled children in a Christian elementary school did not have adequate knowledge and understanding of learning disabilities and the effect these disabilities have on a child's ability to function at home, in the classroom, and in other areas of life. A practicum project was developed to inform parents and…

As mandated by Illinois Public Act 84-1291, this report identifies the service needs of persons with autism, recommends service models, and offers a plan of action to ensure delivery of appropriate services within resources available. Three primary themes are emphasized: a need for intervention at the earliest point in time for persons with…

Educational psychotherapy for preschool children and its functioning are described in detail. Also described is the process of training teachers to do this work. The educational psychotherapy process attempts to operate at the interface between education and psychotherapy. The components of catharsis, recall, sharpening and correcting of…