A direct observation procedure was used to evaluate first-grade children identified in kindergarten as at risk for development of conduct disorders based on behavior problem incidence rates of schools, teacher reports of school readiness, and parents' ratings of child behavior. High-risk kindergarten children demonstrated first-grade difficulties…

Describes the Vermont Community Adjustment Tracking System (VT-CATS), which utilizes four behavioral instruments to allow intensive, ongoing, and interpretable behavioral assessment of a service system's most challenging children and adolescents. Also explains the adjustment indicator checklists and the ability of VT-CATS to address agencies'…

A question-and-answer format is used to summarize requirements concerning suspension and expulsion of students with disabilities under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act Amendments of 1997. Questions address definitions, due process rights, suspension and expulsion as a "change of placement," the Interim Alternative…

Describes the use of a self-determination curriculum for mental-health intervention and primary prevention for Head Start children. The curriculum addresses critical adaptive-skills domains, including social skills, self-evaluation, self-direction, networking or friendship, collaboration or support seeking, problem solving and decision making, and…

A survey of nine special educators and nine general educators in three Texas schools found that inclusion for students with emotional/behavioral disorders was being implemented due to administrative impetus and was not carefully planned, and that both special- and general-education teachers believe they need training related to inclusion and…

Review of the research about outcomes in adult life for more able individuals within the autistic spectrum focuses on cognitive, linguistic, academic, and adaptive functioning; educational and employment history; independence and social relationships; and behavioral and psychiatric problems. The stability of IQ and other measures over time, and…

This article describes the Behavior Assessment System for Children, a multimethod, multidimensional approach to evaluating the behaviors and self-perceptions of children ages 2.6 to 18 years. The BASC contains a Teacher Rating Scale, a Parent Rating Scale, and a Child Self-Report of Personality. Its administration, reliability, and validity are…

Discusses features of a middle school program for students with emotional or behavioral disorders, noting how these features promote a secure, inviting environment that meets the students' emotional and psychological needs. Topics include the special education teacher's involvement with regular classroom teachers; focus on student behaviors; and…

Studied multigenerational links between maternal history of problem behavior, mother's age at birth of first child, and child conduct disorder in boys. Found that maternal age at first birth was associated with child's conduct disorder, and maternal history of problem behavior was also associated with early maternal age at first birth and the…

Presents the first year's methods and initial findings from Project Destiny, a three-year study that attempts to enhance the knowledge and strategies of professionals, parents, and community teams for working with middle school students having emotional or behavioral disorders. Initial findings and analysis of those findings are presented. (KW)

This article examines functional behavioral assessment (FBA) and its application in schools in three areas: the current knowledge base regarding procedures best suited for conducting FBA with students with emotional/behavioral disorders, issues surrounding the identification of competencies necessary for special educators to conduct FBA, and…

Interviewed parents and teachers to determine their communication preferences. Determined that teachers and parents prefer face-to-face communication, find it difficult to schedule meetings, and rarely discuss personal or emotional issues. Proposed strategies to improve communication patterns between teachers and parents, especially those working…

Direct observational data on 17 general educators and on eight matched pairs of middle school students with and without behavior disorders (BD) was collected. Teachers' use of student-centered practices versus teacher-directed classroom management practices was associated with positive and task-appropriate student behavior, but only for students…

A study investigated the impact of in-service training on the use of assertive discipline in a school for pupils with emotional/behavioral difficulties. Results indicate improved rates in on-task behavior and reduced numbers of disruptive incidences. Changes in pupil behavior mirrored an increase in teachers' use of positive feedback and praise.…

This article describes two studies that evaluated training intended to improve the family friendliness of five components of the admission treatment team process at an inpatient child and adolescent psychiatric hospital. While role-play training did not improve family friendliness, mindfulness training enhanced the family friendliness of all five…