This article reports descriptive information on the relationship between social competence and amount and type of peer interaction for nine adolescents with mental retardation attending a regular high school. Results found individual differences in patterns of peer interaction with a tendency toward more frequent interaction with peers with mental…

This 6-year longitudinal study examined girls' peer-nominated social preference and aggression in childhood as predictors of self- and parent-reported externalizing symptoms, substance use (i.e.. cigarette, alcohol, and marijuana use), and sexual risk behavior in adolescence. Participants were 148 girls from diverse ethnic backgrounds, who were…

This study investigated the entry behavior and temperamental characteristics of aggressive/rejected and nonaggressive/popular kindergarten and first-grade children. An analog entry situation was used to assess children's entry skills. Aggressive/rejected children had more difficulty than nonaggressive/popular children delivering their entry bids…

A model for integrating severely handicapped children and youth is composed of five major components: (1) general integration (in which a needs assessment determines such aspects as visibility of the classroom, interaction with regular classroom staff, and school-home communication); (2) active integration (in which educational and social…

One hundred and sixty-eight elementary students with and without handicapping conditions participated in a study to determine the social integration of students with mild to moderate disabilities who are academically mainstreamed for at least one period daily. Ss were asked to photograph what they considered illustrative of their schools. A…

Play interactions between six male autistic children (aged 8 to 12 years), younger normally developing kindergarten children, and nonhandicapped same-age peers resulted in gains for all (subjects were only those autistic children (6) observed; their autistic classmates were not observed) subjects in proximity, orientation, and responsiveness when…

This study explored the effects of a model of social skills training on 4- to 5-year-old children with low peer acceptance. The cognitive-social learning model aims to improve children's social behaviors through teaching effective cognitive social strategies and providing opportunities for children to practice social behaviors and monitor them…

Thirteen programmatic factors are identified and considered for their role in fostering social integration in mainstreamed settings. (CL)

Examined linkages between 5- to 6-year-olds' participation in friendships, peer acceptance, and peer victimization and their school adjustment over time. Found evidence that adjustment was influenced by the diverse experiences encountered in different forms of relationships and that certain types of relationships had greater or lesser adaptive…

Introduces this theme issue by synthesizing findings obtained using diverse methodologies derived from different theories about children's friendships. Comments on the trend away from studying global peer acceptance to studying friendship dyads. Discusses the features--individual, age, and gender differences--of children's friendships. (DR)

Growth curve modelling was used to examine developmental trajectories of sociometric and perceived popularity across eight years in adolescence, and the effects of gender, overt aggression, and relational aggression on these trajectories. Participants were 303 initially popular students (167 girls, 136 boys) for whom sociometric data were…

Ninety-eight primary students viewed videotapes of pairs of children (Down's syndrome/orthopedically handicapped, orthopedically handicapped/nonhandicapped, nonhandicapped/Down's syndrome) needing help to complete a puzzle. Ss were asked which child they would help and why. Overall, the orthopedically handicapped children were chosen first more…

A study examined the effects of social setting on the friendship formation of 333 preschool children (120 with disabilities) enrolled in inclusive early childhood programs. Typical children in specialized classrooms had significantly more friends. In child care settings, however, there were no statistically significant differences in number of…

Five adolescents with visual impairments participated in trust engendering activities in five separate peer focus groups. At the completion of the intervention, four of the students with visual impairments showed marked improvement in their social acceptance and had higher scores on the Social Skills Assessment Tool for Children with Visual…

A study examined peer relationships that developed between three males with disabilities and their peers during kindergarten/Grade 1 and during upper elementary grades. Children with disabilities were selected as playmates during both time periods and some play activities and social behaviors were similar to those of typical peers. (Contains…