This article describes a program designed to provide early identification of developmental and behavioral problems of children who are at risk because of poverty. The three-tier approach provides general observations of child behaviors, a structured play group, and developmental screening and/or formal assessment. (DB)

This article focuses on children with emotional or behavior disorders in England and programs that have evolved in the 19th and 20th centuries to address their needs. Theoretical battles between supporters of a medical approach and those of the now-dominant educational model are discussed, as well as the inclusion movement. (CR)

This article discusses some of the major challenges school districts face in implementing functional behavioral assessments (FBAs). A school improvement initiative, "Success4," is presented to illustrate an Iowa approach. Arguments are presented for fundamental changes in order to enhance school district effectiveness and accountability…

A study of 270 children (ages 1-22) with emotional or behavior problems found symptoms, functioning, and risk were significantly related to child strengths, and children in home-like settings were found to possess significantly higher levels of strengths than children in non-homelike settings. Child strengths were significantly associated with…

A study analyzed the oral narrative abilities in Caucasian males (ages 8-13) identified as aggressive. The boys were asked to construct an oral narrative based on a wordless picture book. Subjects provided fewer pieces of information to create the setting of the story for listeners than did controls. (Contains references.) (Author/CR)

This article describes the design and outcomes of a project to promote the reintegration of pupils with emotional and behavioral difficulties at transfer to secondary school. It reports on a series of successful placements and discusses the factors that have helped sustain the inclusion of the pupils. (Contains four references.) (Author/CR)

As aberrant behavior is often recognized as the number one form of communication, it becomes imperative that as parents, teachers, and educators we must address and systematically teach or provide all children with an effective means of communication. While many augmentative and alternative communication systems such as manual sign language and…

This study assessed the effects of Life Space Crisis Interventions on the challenging behavior of four students with learning handicaps attending a special school in Germany. Students were in seventh and tenth grades and exhibited an array of challenging, disruptive classroom behaviors. After the implementation of interventions, major improvement…

Empirical support exists for parent training/education (PT/PE) interventions for children with disruptive behavior disorders (DBD) and autism spectrum disorders (ASD). While the models share common roots, current approaches have largely developed independently and the research findings have been disseminated in two different literature traditions:…

Purpose: Against a background of a lack of systematic epidemiological research in Ireland in the area, this study set out to determine prevalence rates of psychiatric disorders, suicidal ideation and intent, and parasuicide in a population of Irish adolescents aged 12-15 years in a defined geographical area. Method: All 12-15-year olds attending…

School safety is a concern of administrators, teachers, parents and students. Federal legislation has been enacted to address school safety, including the discipline of students with disabilities. One option available to school districts is to place potentially dangerous or disruptive students in an interim alternative educational setting (IAES).…

This article is based on a survey of 25 learning mentors in order to identify their background and training, barriers and opportunities they experience in their work with individual primary aged pupils with EBD. Heather Roper Marshall undertook this study as part of her work towards her BA (Hons) Education. She adopts a personalised, narrative…

Reflections on the field of special education include observations, such as a looming crisis for students with emotional/behavioral disorders and future challenges. Associated suggestions include: (1) make prevention appealing; (2) work toward more interdisciplinary collaboration; and (3) advocate for research supported methodologies. (Contains…

This paper compares the advantages of a strength-based perspective to the long-standing pathology-based approach to assessment. Theoretical advantages to strength-based assessment, such as greater compatibility with early prevention efforts and increased acceptance by multiple stakeholders, are suggested. The "Devereux Early Childhood Assessment"…

Objective: To provide an initial description of the effectiveness and pharmacokinetics (PK) of quetiapine in aggressive children with conduct disorder (CD). Method: This 8-week, open-label outpatient trial, enrolled patients ages 6 to 12 years with CD. Outcome measures included the Rating of Aggression Against People and/or Property Scale…