A study of 16 children with autism, 16 typical children, and 16 children with Downs syndrome (ages 3-6) investigated children's responses to separation and reunion with their mothers. No differences were found between groups; however, the children with disabilities showed more individual variation in separation and reunion patterns. (Author/CR)

The effects of a rapid change in media environment are examined through the introduction of a multichannel cable television system in Israel. Findings highlight changes on the behavioral, cognitive, and affective dimensions. Changes occurred in reallocation of leisure time, social characteristics of viewing, viewing patterns, and content…

This case study of two young males (ages 3 and 5) with autism who have preoccupations with feminine activities and objects addresses the establishment of gender identity in children with autism and the need for further study of the complex interplay of environmental and neurobiologic factors affecting gender identity and preoccupations in autism.…

The demographic and psychological variables associated with seeking help in coping with emotional problems in early and middle adolescence from parents, friends, and professionals were studied with 221 adolescents. Differential patterns of predictor variables emerged for each helping resource and for both genders. (SLD)

This study compared the preinjury and postinjury patterns of alcohol and illicit drug use of 87 persons (ages 16 to 20) with traumatic brain injury. Although an initial follow-up indicated decline in alcohol use, second follow-up (at 28 months postinjury) suggested that drinking quantity and frequency increased over time. Postinjury illicit drug…

The interaction behaviors in free play of 31 mothers of children (ages 15-61 months) with visual impairments were compared to those of mothers of children with mild developmental delays. Results found that mothers of children with visual impairments were more physically involved, used more controlling strategies, and spoke more than the other…

Data on 6,370 work-bound, 6,949 college-bound, and 1,057 unemployment-bound adolescents were analyzed at grades 8 and 10. The work and unemployment groups' achievement profiles were similar to each other and lower than the college-bound. Socioeconomic status significantly influenced aspirations and postsecondary status. Educational aspiration was…

A study examined the cognitive and behavioral profiles in 10 individuals (ages 14-51) with Smith-Magenis syndrome. Results found the individuals showed significant relative weaknesses in sequential processing and strengths in naming a partially completed drawing, identifying things, and in reading/decoding. Behavioral findings indicated…

Discusses the positive value of conflicts and describes a six-step program, Teaching Students To Be Peacemakers, that instructs students in how to negotiate and mediate conflicts. Reviews research on the effectiveness of the program and the benefits of self-regulation for school discipline programs. Provides steps on how to structure academic…

Study evaluated effects of traditional recess on subsequent classroom behavior of children diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. Results showed that levels of inappropriate behavior were consistently higher on days when participants did not have recess. Optimal recess period(s) may potentially promote academic achievement by…

Explored the simultaneous sequential transition patterns of preschoolers' social play within classroom settings. Found that the proportion of social-play states did not vary during play episodes even when accounting for type of activity center, gender, and SES. Found a reciprocal relationship between parallel-aware and other social-play states…

Explored whether children's experiences in child care programs related to individual (ethnicity, age, gender) and classroom (environmental quality) characteristics. Identified six patterns in how children spent their time: creative, language arts, didactic, gross motor, high-level adult involvement, and individualized adult interactions. Found…

This article examines a definition of giftedness that emphasizes asynchronous development and analyzes archival data collected on 535 high-IQ children in Australia. It found five patterns of behavior that provide evidence of asynchronous development: anxious; self-critical; overly sensitive; easily upset; and easily frustrated; with depression…

This study examined Autism Diagnostic Interviews Revised (ADI-R) data for 69 autistic subjects from multiplex (MP) families (with more than one autistic member) and 88 autistic subjects from singleton (SP) families (with only one autistic member). Multivariate analysis revealed no differences between verbal or nonverbal MP and SP groups for ADI-R…

Conducted a meta-analysis of 74 studies in which there had been an intervention that aimed to improve the behavioral, cognitive, or social functioning of people with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder or attention deficit disorder. Overall, there were larger effects of the various interventions on behavioral than on educational outcomes.…