Research evidence regarding the educability of profoundly retarded persons is reviewed. Attention is focused on five areas of research: the development of motor skills, self-help skill training, social and communication behavior development, the reduction of severe maladaptive behaviors, and the impact of environmental factors on learning. (SEW)

The behavior of 40 mainstreamed educable mentally retarded (EMR) children enrolled in 10 elementary schools was compared based on teacher rating scales and controlled behavioral observations. (SEW)

Sixty-eight teachers were randomly assigned to one of four experimental conditions involving written information descriptions (positive and negative) and videotaped behavior (withdrawn and acting out). Findings suggest that a behaviorally disordered child should be seen as a student with specific problems within the normal range of behavior.…

Surveyed 619 college freshmen to determine how many considered themselves to have drinking problems. Results showed males and youngest children in the family had the most problems. Both males and females who had drinking problems reported stressful childhoods, and were twice as likely to have divorced parents. (JAC)

Three conditions of behavioral disturbances and impaired school performance (learning disability, attentional disorder, and childhood major depression) are suggested as being associated with dysfunction of the right cerebral hemisphere. (Author/PN)

Determined if a child would continue to be rejected by a student teacher if the child's behavior improved. Student teachers (N=39) selected a target child exhibiting disruptive behavior. An experimental group used techniques of alternative reinforcement on the problem child. Results indicated teachers' attitudes were highly stable. (RC)

Overviews a counseling approach designed to help parents shift from focusing on negative aspects of their lives and children to a more positive focus. Discusses the counseling theory system which is based on social learning theory. Presents counseling strategies and describes a typical counseling series using this approach. (RC)

Investigated effect of father presence or absence in the home in New York City families: welfare AFDC families and lower-middle income families. Results indicated that children of surrogate fathers revealed significantly more behavioral difficulties. Cross-section children and mothers were more adversely affected by father absence than others.…

Evaluated effects of using conduct problem adolescents (N=18) as cross-age tutors for elementary school-aged mentally retarded students. When compared to students who received peer tutoring or group counseling, cross-age tutors improved significantly on social science and language arts grades, and had reduced rates of absenteeism and disciplinary…

The disciplinary policy at Chapelle Elementary School in Ypsilanti (Michigan), developed with staff participation, classifies some student behavior as "unacceptable" or "inappropriate." Either behavior requires the teacher to fill out a pink slip and send it with the student to the principal's office, but only unacceptable…

Provides data on behavioral problems and competencies, identifies differences related to demographic variables, and compares normal children and those referred for professional help. Parents' responses to Child Behavior Checklist items reveal significant differences in socioeconomic status, children's age and referral status. Behavioral problems…

PATHE program (Positive Action Through Holistic Education) seeks to identify and ameliorate problem behavior and potential failure in Charleston, South Carolina, schools. The affective and academic components are achieved by teams of counseling and curriculum specialists, with a strong emphasis on parent involvement and individual attention. (SK)

Drug misuse of prescription and OTC drugs was studied among 67 older subjects to determine the frequency of misuse and relationship to various psychosocial, medical and pharmacological factors. Drug misuse was found among 43 percent of subjects with number of prescribing physicians and number of pharmacies directly related to misuse. (Author)

Five symposium papers evaluate the usefulness of ideas associated with the life-span view for enriching, highlighting, or expanding issues, theory, and research pertinent to change processes during infancy, childhood, adolescence, and adulthood, and for intervention programs during these periods. (Author/MP)

Data from 87 high school students indicated significant differences between high and low psychoticism scorers on teacher appraisal, alcohol consumption, cigarette smoking, marijuana smoking, and sex of student; no significant differences were found between high and low psychoticism scorers on television viewing and residence with one or both…