A study explored episodes of social and physical aggression among 30 low-income, African American, Hispanic, and Latina girls. Episodes of social aggression frequently led to episodes of physical aggression with group alliances solidified in the process. Adults intervened to resolve physically aggressive episodes, while precipitating socially…

This article explains how challenging routines for families of children with behavior disorders can be converted into opportunities to teach communication skills. A case description illustrates how routines-based intervention can extend procedures of functional assessment and positive behavior support. The approach offers flexibility in applying a…

Behavior problems, social skill deficits, and language delays were examined in 332 children (age 3), enrolled in Head Start. Boys showed elevated levels of behavioral problems across all measures. Both boys and girls displayed low language scores, with boys significantly lower than girls on both auditory and expressive skills. (Contains…

Different measures of symptoms and functional impairments were obtained on 285 Head Start children to identify emotional/behavioral disorders. These included six instruments completed by teachers and two completed by parents. Identification of children considered at risk ranged from a low of 1% to a high of 34%. (Contains references.) (Author/CR)

The New Smyrna Beach Employability Skills Training Program in Florida offers emotionally and behaviorally disordered adolescents the opportunity to learn basic academic, social, employability, and business skills through participation in a school-based business that models an actual job site. Comparative data for suspensions, dropouts, and…

This quantitative and qualitative case study describes 30 months in the life of a young woman with autism and a history of life-threatening self-injurious behaviors (SIB) who moved from a large public institution into the community. Decreased frequency of problem behaviors was documented. The importance of multicomponent positive intervention…

This article describes a federally funded model self-determination project for students with severe emotional disabilities/behavioral disorders (SED/BD). The project promotes self-determination through instruction in problem solving, self-assertiveness, and self-management skills, and utilizes cross-age peer tutoring involving college students…

Two studies with four adolescents with behavior disorders investigated the relationship between antecedent events and aggressive behavior in school and home settings. The use of videotape recordings and behavioral rehearsal of alternative responses resulted in decreases in the frequency of aggressive behavior and associated antecedent events. (DB)

If teachers of students with behavior disorders are to be more effective, there must be several changes in preservice education. Teachers need training in one predominant theoretical philosophy, in remediation of academic deficits, in competent use of behavior management skills, and in writing individualized education programs. (SM)

This article discusses cooperative learning and computer-assisted instruction (CAI) for students with behavioral disorders. Elements of cooperative learning lessons and relevant software considerations are reviewed. Guidelines are offered and examples using specific software packages given, including models based on learning together, "Jigsaw"…

Interviews with and observation of six behaviorally disordered aggressive adolescents revealed that students perceived teachers as helpful when they engaged in specific aspects of teacher-student communication and flexible academic and behavioral program implementation. They perceived teachers' rigidity and use of discipline as unhelpful. Student…

Associations between parental and teacher reports of conduct problems at age eight and psychosocial outcomes at 18 were longitudinally examined with 1,265 New Zealand children. Overall, conduct problems at age eight predicted elevated rates of educational underachievement, juvenile offending, substance abuse/dependence, and mental health problems…

Proposes combination of self-evaluation and peer-monitoring procedures as a method for transitioning students with Behavior Disorders (BD) from special-education to general-education settings. Reports results of research on two boys with BD who underwent three phases of intervention. Results indicate significant improvement in both negative and…

A study of 984 families of children with emotional and behavioral disturbance used the Caregiver Strain Questionnaire to assess the effects of the shift of primary caregiving to the family due to deinstitutionalization. Results indicate the reliability and validity of the questionnaire, which also identified three related but unique dimensions of…

This case study of an 11-year-old boy with moderate/severe mental retardation, seizures, and behavior disorders in an inclusive classroom setting describes how a program of assessment and intervention eliminated the behavior problems, was maintained following the intervention, and generalized to 3 nontargeted problem behaviors. Intervention…