Study assesses the acceptability of six child-management interventions as rated by mothers (N=20) of children referred for treatment for a disruptive-behavior disorder. Positive reinforcement was rated as a more acceptable treatment than response time, time-out, differential attention, overcorrection, and spanking. Results validate findings of…

This study evaluated the effects of individually administered story mapping instruction on the reading comprehension of four upper-elementary school students with behavioral disorders. Story mapping instruction improved students' abilities to comprehend narrative text, especially their understanding of story settings, problems, and major events.…

This article presents an overview of the definitional and boundary issues of the term "school violence" as used in research applied prevention programs and provides an overview of what is known about the occurrence of violent and related high-risk behaviors on school campuses. (Contains extensive references.) (Author/CR)

Review of the literature on early development of typical and abnormal stereotyped and self-injurious behaviors found that such behaviors usually reach a maximum at age 2 and then decline but may increase again when the child reaches school age. Findings suggest that the second year may be a sensitive period for emergence of abnormal stereotyped…

Examines feasibility of using a new theoretical model to determine the association between parenting factors and conduct disorder in Jamaican male adolescents. Discusses issues within the framework of family, peer group, and biological factors associated with conduct disorder. Significant family factors associated with the emergence of conduct…

Examined the effects of a school-based social skills training program which used instruction, modeling, role-play, and performance feedback. Results indicate increases in prosocial behaviors in the treatment settings and a decrease in depression. No significant changes in the student's social skills were noted by teachers or classmates. (RJM)

This response to "Behavior Disorders: A Postmodern Perspective" (David Elkind) rejects the postmodern notion that there can be no common narratives and proposes three possible metanarratives that could be useful in thinking about behavioral disorders: democracy, spirituality, and the notions of Nick Hobbs. (CR)

A study examined the employment status of 28 Finnish young men about 10 years after leaving classes for students with social maladjustment. Twelve were unemployed, 14 were working, one was in prison and one was receiving a disability pension. Twenty-six of the men had a positive attitude toward work. (Contains references.) (Author/CR)

Research and programs in gifted education and programs for students who exhibit emotional and behavioral disabilities (EBD) do not often consider students who display violent or other negative behaviors and also exhibit gifted and talented behaviors. A qualitative analysis of responses to an interview with one such individual reveals information…

A medication efficacy graph was developed, revised, and applied in a case study to effectively monitor progress of a client with profound mental retardation and maladaptive behaviors. The graph enables clinicians to measure and display not just incidents of maladaptive behaviors but weighted maladaptive behaviors, adaptive behaviors, potency of…

The placement histories of 415 youth in foster care in San Diego, California, were analyzed together with behavior problems identified by the Child Behavior Check List. Results suggest that volatile placement histories contribute negatively to both internalizing and externalizing behavior of foster children. Initial externalizing behaviors were…

Measures of heart-rate changes before, during, and after problem behaviors of two men with severe mental retardation and multiple problem behaviors were documented. Unique patterns of heart rate and problem behavior were found. Heart rate, identified as an indicator of negative arousal, was associated with higher scores of perceived distress.…

A study combined group sweating and group counseling. Four adolescent boys with disruptive behavior disorders participated in 12 sweat therapy sessions. They reported the sessions useful for sharing personal concerns and receiving assistance with problem solving. Three boys showed improvement in self-esteem. Advantages of sweat therapy over other…

This article introduces a special issue focusing on antisocial behavior in schools. It summarizes following articles on the prevention of violence and other antisocial behavior and concludes schools need to replace shortsighted, reactive approaches to student discipline with approaches that address the causes of antisocial behavior. (Contains…

Examined the effect of drug treatment on reducing HIV-related risky sex behavior among 796 adolescents entering drug treatment programs in four U.S. cities. Found that 54 percent reported reductions in risky sex behavior after treatment. Lack of improvement was associated with conduct-disorder diagnosis, abuse history, unmet physical and emotional…