The resilience that individuals who have learning disabilities can demonstrate is highlighted through a case study. Examples from a student's description of his school history illuminate resilience themes. The article culminates in a list of things teachers can do to instill resilience in their students. (Author/CR)

A study examined the coping mechanisms of 20 Lebanese students at the American University of Beirut during the war in Lebanon in 1975-91. Results indicate the group perceived their experiences as relatively normal. The nature of and exposure to war, personal variables, and the supportive role of family and community were critical in helping the…

Demands for change are pervasive in educational practice, and while they must be acknowledged, teachers also need to maintain a sense of stability. This can be accomplished by developing a professional conscience composed of five facets (as proposed by Thomas Green): craft, membership, sacrifice, memory, and imagination. Implications for teacher…

Two award-winning Canadian educational researchers describe how the goals of standards-based reform can be met without getting bogged down in overstandardization, under-resourcing, deprofessionalization, and curricular narrowness. The sense of urgency driving educational change needs to be accompanied by a sense of agency and energy in teachers so…

Investigated the personality traits of Greek mothers of children with special needs, examining whether participation in parent support groups and sharing the care of the child with others would affect self-esteem, coping, and depression. Overall, mothers who received social support and help with care of the child had increased self-esteem,…

A study of 26 mothers and 20 fathers of children with autism found self-efficacy mediated the effect of child behavior problems on mothers' anxiety and depression, but not for fathers. However, there was evidence that self-efficacy moderated the effect of child behavior problems on fathers' anxiety. (Contains references.) (Author/CR)

Presents brief descriptions of 24 books that are likely to interest gifted readers in the middle grades. Notes that such literature can serve to bolster their overall development and also enhance appropriate self-advocacy for their talents. (SR)

This article discusses the need for gifted students who have disabilities to have a strong support group to assist them with several key emotional issues that may impede their academic achievement, including: anger, fear of failure, a strong need to control, low self-esteem, an sometimes, even fear of success. (CR)

Investigates the relationship between stressful life change events and coping strategies, and high school completion status among early adolescents. Discriminant analysis was used to build a prediction model and indicated that the coping factors of Social Activities and Seeking Professional Support significantly predicted high school dropout…

This article provides teachers with a list of books and ideas for teaching about disabilities. Forty-six books are identified, 17 received either the Newbery or the Newbery Honor Award. The list of books includes a brief summary of the plot, the main disability discussed, and other curricular applications. (Author/CR)

Results of five parental interviews indicated a similar process was experienced in deciding on out-of-home placements for children with complex medical needs: weariness; need for additional assistance; "triggering events" (financial concerns, lack of social supports, and difficulties with services); need for decision approval; and reflections on…

Describes the development of the Hassles Assessment Scale for Students in College, which measured student stress. Development involved item generation, psychometric evaluation, and revision. Separate student samples participated in each phase. Results found very high levels of internal consistency for the frequency, unpleasantness, and dwelling…

Examined 12- to 14-year-olds' understanding of mental health and illness, responses to negative feelings, and perceived differences between themselves and adults. Found that the term "mental health" was little understood. Relationships with family and friends were considered a positive influence. Youth, especially boys, reported…

The second of two articles, this article describes a qualitative analysis of one family's experience during a 10-month process of assessment and intervention for the behavior challenges of a 9-year-old with severe disabilities. The impact of the positive behavioral support on the child and his family is highlighted. (CR)

Racism is the current sociopolitical climate, the central bacteria, in our society, which prevents the possibility of social cohesion. This personal narrative explores a child's early experiences of racism and the development of a coping strategy. It calls for helping professionals to engage in "a lifelong critique of identity." (EMK)