Objective: This report provides descriptive longitudinal findings over three waves of a study designed to assess the development of antisocial behaviors in young and early adolescent Puerto Rican children at two sites. Method: Through the use of standard assessment measures, representative samples of Puerto Rican children of both genders 5 to 13…

Background: Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) affect a significant number of children in this country. This article addresses diagnostic issues related to fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) and other alcohol-related disabilities, discusses associated features and behaviors of FASD, and introduces interventions to support children with FASD in…

Child health and well-being are intrinsically important and also contribute to a healthy, productive adolescence and adulthood. Parents can play an important role in helping their children acquire or strengthen the behaviors, skills, attitudes, and motivation that promote physical and mental health and overall well-being in childhood, adolescence…

This research is a follow up to a similar study published by the Center for Rural Pennsylvania in 2003 in which researchers examined alternative education policies and practices among Pennsylvania school districts. The current study extended the previous research to include information on the perceptions of administrators and teachers on the…

The School-Based Mental Health Program's goals are to identify at-risk children, reduce ineffective functioning of at-risk children, provide social service interventions, increase effective parenting skills, help families access community resources, and support mental health education. The program was designed to develop a comprehensive,…

The literature on school absences has focused predominantly on the reasons for student truancy, or it has assessed only aggregate student absences in their effect on achievement. However, this study brings forth a new issue: the relationship between types of absences--excused versus unexcused--and school performance. With a quantitative model of…

This study examined the effectiveness of self-evaluation, self-observation, and self-observation plus self-recording in reducing disruptive classroom behaviors. The initial study was conducted with seven primary level students divided into the three treatment conditions, and a replication study was conducted with eight intermediate level students…

This guide, presented in both the English and French language versions is designed to accompany a 36-minute video illustrating systematic behavioral observation methods. Together, the video and the guide comprise a training module that suggests simple and effective observational methods that will help teachers in Quebec assess students objectively…

Conduct disorder (CD), primarily a childhood disorder, is associated with oppositional defiance disorder and antisocial personality disorder. Differentiating between the disorders requires a preview of the intensity of the disorder. There are many approaches to treating CD. The traditional approach has been psychoanalytically oriented…

An anonymous survey of health and sexual behavior statistics from adolescents in North Dakota is presented in this document. Seventeen thousand students from North Dakota schools in grades 9-12 participated in the survey. Survey questions were taken from the following categories: (1) safety; (2) suicide; (3) tobacco, alcohol and other drugs; (4)…

Those who have dealt with students over a period of years have come to realize that an increasing number of them are disruptive. This book offers alternatives for responding to disruptive students. Solutions are offered from the perspective of a mental health professional with years of experience on a college campus. A code of student conduct is…

A common misconception about gangs is that they resemble past images of motorcycle riders. Society is now faced with what are called "hybrid" gangs whose members are usually 14 to 16 years of age, who dress conservatively, who display subtle gang identifiers, and who are motivated by a combination of profit and poor family life. This…

This paper reviews various discipline models and applies them to obtaining cooperation and compliance with medical treatment of children with chronic and acute medical conditions, especially End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD). The definition of Other Health Impairments in the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act is cited and related to the…

The Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) is used to assess the behavioral problems and social competencies of children. Its broad usage in both a practitioner and research context has led to misapplications as compared to the CBCL's original intended purpose. Practical applications vary from the more traditional mental health centers and medical…

Effective discipline methods help children become considerate and responsible human beings. This book describes a way to discipline children without using force, fear, or punishment. Following an introduction, the book's seven chapters are: (1) "Learning How To Be Parents," which discusses the difficulties of parenting and the lack of…