In this article we review the empirical evidence for the presumptions that children with disabilities are at increased risk for child maltreatment, and parents with disabilities are more likely to perpetrate child abuse and neglect. Challenges to the epidemiological examination of the prevalence of child maltreatment and disabilities are…

This review examines the treatment integrity data of literacy interventions for students with emotional and/or behavioral disorders (EBD). Forty-four studies published between 1977 and 2005 were examined. Findings indicate that studies focusing on literacy interventions for students with EBD included clear operational definitions and data on…

This article considers problems in the federal definition of seriously emotionally disturbed, authority (state or federal) in determining program eligibility, the legislative history of exclusionary rules, and legal options available to those seeking access to special education for behavior-disordered students. (DB)

The paper reviews the literature regarding runaway children, defines runaway youth, and discusses predisposing factors. Suggestions are offered for further research on the etiology and treatment of runaway behavior. (JDD)

This paper argues for a broad interpretation of the definition of social maladjustment; presents a hypothetical model of the relationship between adequacy of parenting and adequacy of environment; discusses methods for identifying social maladjustment; and describes programing for prevention and rehabilitation through development of social…

Review seeks to clarify issues of definition and assessment for school psychologists facing task of operationalizing and measuring social maladjustment exclusion in federal definition of serious emotional disturbance. For school psychologists in states with exclusion for social maladjustment, proactive recommendations are offered, emphasizing…

This article reviews the development and current status of alternatives to the federal definition of emotional disturbance or behavior disorders. It notes that several states are now revising their own terminologies or definitions in response to the 1997 reauthorization of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act that dropped the term…

This paper addresses research implications of proposed modifications of the definition of "severe emotional disturbance" to include students with conduct disorders. Research questions focus on understanding the nature of antisocial, aggressive behavior in children and youth and identifying what services they need. Research is cited suggesting that…

This synthesis of the literature examines the characteristics of children with conduct disorders and the special education placement dilemmas they present. The paper distinguishes among the terms delinquency, social maladjustment, conduct disorder, and behavioral disorder. The paper discusses eligibility of students with conduct disorders for…

The monograph looks at changing perceptions of maladjusted children in the United Kingdom from 1945 to 1981. In 1945 these children were first recognized as a category of handicapped pupils in the law and in 1981 the Education Act replaced specified categories of handicap with a concept of special educational provision based on the special…

This discussion concludes that personal choice cannot be used to distinguish between students with serious emotional disturbances or social maladjustment, a distinction required by federal legislation. Literature supporting this conclusion is reviewed, focusing on conduct problems and disorders, choosing maladjusted behavior, choosing a serious…

The exclusionary term, "social maladjustment," the definition in Public Law 94-142 (the Education for All Handicapped Children Act) of serious emotional disturbance, has been an enigma for special education. This paper attempts to limit the interpretation of social maladjustment in order to counter effects of such decisions as…

Seven papers focus on issues in identification and educational program planning for children with emotional disturbances. "Social Policy Issues in Special Education and Related Services for Emotionally Disturbed Children and Youth" (J. Kauffman), touches on problems with the federal definition of and terminology about the emotionally…

The quantitative synthesis of 89 correlations from 16 studies of behavioral ratings and classroom observations suggested significant problems in the areas of the construct of behavioral disorder and criterion-related validity of widely used measures of social behavior. A "components of variance" model is proposed to aid in educational decision…

Current research on the basic characteristics of Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (childhood hyperactivity) is reviewed, and a critique of the most recent classification system is given. The current definition ignores important distinctions among the attention deficit disorders. Primary symptoms and associated adjustment problems are…