This article reviews critical learning and behavioral problems of children exposed prenatally to alcohol and other drugs, especially executive function deficits. It considers risk factors associated with prenatal drug exposure and effective classroom interventions for executive function deficits in nonverbal working memory, internalization of…

This longitudinal study examined the relation between the instability of maternal intimate relationships and school behavior of economically disadvantaged third-graders. After ecological correlates were controlled, chronic relationship instability was found to predict externalizing behavior for boys and girls and internalizing behavior for girls,…

Identified groups of economically disadvantaged children showing high externalizing behavior in first grade that persisted (persistent) or decreased (improver) in third grade, or low first- grade levels that were stable (unproblematic) or increased (new problem) in third grade. Found that verbal ability, behavioral impulsivity, parent…

Reviews trends in numbers of students excluded from school in England because of behavior problems, illustrating that permanent exclusions are rising. Proposes that causes for exclusion are psychosocial problems, family and social problems, stretched educational resources, and a cultural response to alienated and alienating behavior. Suggests…

European- and African-American mothers reported their use of physical discipline with their children. Mothers, teachers, and peers rated the children's externalizing problems annually from kindergarten through grade 3. Found that physical discipline was associated with higher teacher- and peer-rated externalizing scores for European-American…

Examines how family functioning influences an adolescent's interpersonal style, which in turn, influences peer group selection. Data were gathered on 111 adolescents with no known previous delinquent behavior. Findings support a modified version of coercion theory. When considering interventions, school counselors should recognize familial…

Analyzed data from 2,814 15- and 16-year-old secondary school students to investigate the collective influence of family, school, and peers on behavioral problems in adolescence. Adolescents with behavioral problems had a more negative perception of the environment, indicating that behavioral problems are associated with problems in multiple…

Using cross-sectional data from a cohort of 8th-grade, urban, black youth, several latent-variable structural equation models were tested. Findings underscore the continued primacy of deviance in predicting drug use and the necessity of incorporating affective influences into current cognitive-behavioral intervention strategies for minority youth.…

This article describes characteristics of Asperger syndrome (AS) and the syndrome's impact in the home, school, and community. Social, behavioral and emotional, cognitive, academic, sensory, and motor characteristics of students with AS are reviewed. The restricted range of interests students with AS have is discussed. (Contains references.)…

Examined peer groups and school ethnic composition as risk factors for peer harassment during early adolescence. Peers nominated aggressive and harassed students and reported self-perceived loneliness, social anxiety, and global self-esteem. Found that deviations from normative perceptions of a person's peer group were particularly detrimental to…

Parents of 153 children with autism completed a questionnaire on early childhood behaviors of concern and age of onset. Parents identified the following concerns: gross motor difficulties; social awareness deficits; communication problems; and unusual preoccupations. There was a significant interval between parents first noticing abnormalities and…

Analysis of data for the NICHD Study of Early Child Care revealed different prediction models for children (n=5,416). Early home environment, later behavior problems, and children's health problems contributed to identification by medical professionals, while early home environment and socioeconomic status contributed to identification based on…

Ten children diagnosed with juvenile Battens disease were tested over a three-year period in general intelligence, memory, listening and speech, motor skills, and general learning. Results showed that the patients followed a predetermined pattern but that the time span for development of memory, communication, and behavior problems varied greatly.…

In studies of school behavior adjustment involving 39 antisocial and 41 at-risk middle school boys, extremely problematic behavior profiles were found among the antisocial subjects. Profiles were quite consistent and stable across the middle school years. Predictor variables of school success or failure included math achievement, school discipline…

Reviews recent developments in the following areas of research on affective disorders and related syndromes in the preadult years: (1) psychiatric and diagnostic (nonbiological) studies; (2) hypothesis-testing and causal-explanation studies; and (3) studies of developmental psychopathology. Indicates directions for future research. (Author/BJV)