Describes and provides contact information for different competitions for students with disabilities in the arts, service learning and leadership, and academics. Discusses the benefits of competitions, including enhancement of learning skills, development of social skills, and development of lifelong interests. (CR)

Presents a qualitative analysis of cognitive and emotional functioning in intellectually borderline adolescents and the consequences for personality and social development. Psychopathological risk is analyzed. Describes conceptualizations that intellectually borderline adolescents have of their own mental functioning. Discusses the implication for…

A study analyzed the acquisition of communicative functions and means in 15 children and youth with autism over a one-year period. Participants made advances in skills development in both functions and means. Functions appeared to follow a developmental sequence from behavior regulation to social integration to joint attention. (Author/CR)

Examined differences in reactions to children's aggressive play of mothers with aggressive or nonaggressive preschoolers. Found that mothers of aggressive preschoolers were more likely than other mothers to stop aggressive play, make value judgments, withdraw when aggressive play occurred, and make no effort to join or modulate the play. Findings…

A study compared two approaches for teaching cooperative play to six children (ages 4-12) with autism. In one approach, children observed cooperative play before participating. In the second approach, participants verbally described the modeled play episode before participating. Participants failed to acquire cooperative play until the verbal…

Argues that the individualistic-collectivistic dichotomy results in mislabeling both cultures and individuals. Discusses ways in which individualistic concerns with independence and collectivistic concerns with interdependence coexist in Western and non-Western cultures. Outlines a theoretical framework explaining the coexistence of diverse social…

Observed 18- to 30-month-olds' use of force against peers. Found no sex differences in average aggression levels or in mothers' aggression ratings. Rate of hitting peers and mothers' ratings were stable over 6 months for girls only. Toddlers especially sensitive to peers' possible intentions hit peers more and were more likely than to use force…

Analyzes children's and mothers' accounts of the economic consequences of divorce for children in Botswana. Notes that most mothers and children reported economic hardship following divorce, although a few reported improvement or no change in economic circumstances. Traces the implications for the social and psychological well-being of children.…

Study showed IQ scores of homeless adolescents (N=50) were comparable to population means, and unrelated to the duration of homelessness. Higher scores were significantly correlated with only a minority of the measures of psychosocial functioning, including less self-reported depression, lower reported delinquency, and less self-control in…

To succeed, educational leaders must be able to forge working relationships with many people and be mediators and mentors, negotiators and networkers. Administrators must be self-confident, be able to modulate emotions, be unusually persuasive, cultivate positive relationships, and continually develop their emotional intelligence. The right kind…

From threats of violence to emotional insecurity, many students enter schools burdened by fear. By addressing these concerns directly, clearly communicating expectations, creating engaging, open-ended curricula, and viewing students holistically, teachers can begin to create peaceful classroom communities. Such actions bring hope to students and…

Examines the relationship between forgiveness and psychosocial development using a sample of students (N=113) in their first year of a teacher-education program. Results suggest that psychosocial development provides a potentially useful assessment framework for understanding how a client will understand and implement the forgiveness process.…

Describes patterns of interaction between hard of hearing and deaf children as well as hard of hearing children. Shows that an easily used sign language code enabled the children to take part in dialogs and had positive consequences for their play as well as their social and emotional development. (DSK)

Provides suggestions to assist parents in helping their gifted children. These include: stay informed of research and data in gifted education; advocate; guide your gifted child; provide support; encourage social skills; encourage independence and interdependence; challenge; teach your child to overcome adversity; teach empathy; and provide…

Investigates the application of a non-hierarchical leadership model at an urban public research university. Balances discussions of the values on which the program under review is based with descriptions of the practical structure of the program. Concludes with a discussion of the program's effects on students' cognitive and social development.…