Describes how elementary-school students with emotional and behavioral disorders worked in groups of four to complete design tasks. A chart shows progress in specific communication skills made by each student. (SK)

Among findings of a survey of the prevalence and nature of self-injurious behavior in people with learning difficulties living in northwest England, the hypothesis that self-injury sites on the body may overlap with acupuncture sites associated with analgesic effects was supported. Implications for treatment of self-injurious behaviors are…

Defines obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) as an anxiety disorder characterized by the presence of mental obsessions or repetitive behaviors based on psychological fears. Lists warning signs for teachers and suggestions for educational services for children with OCD. (LBT)

Describes five young adult novels that may help young adult males shape their identities in positive ways by showing the consequences of bad male behavior. Describes briefly 10 more new or overlooked young adult books worth reading. (RS)

Asserts that student misbehavior is linked to poor reading and writing skills. Suggests ways to improve reading and writing literacy based on experience with a literacy program in the Orange County (FL) Public Schools. Three-year study of the program found significant improvement in reading comprehension, student self-esteem, and classroom…

Traditional functional analysis procedures were combined with a functional assessment interview and etiological theories to evaluate functions of nail biting in six children. Environmental restriction in combination with other variables appeared to control nail biting. A habit reversal intervention was generally effective but was less effective…

School refusal behavior refers to a student's refusal to attend school or difficulty remaining in classes for an entire day. The problem is pervasive and exacts a heavy toll on students and school systems if left unaddressed. Although assessment and treatment protocols have been developed for this population, they are not always amenable to…

Purpose: Our objective in this analysis was to determine how the duration of caregiving interacts with key care demands (i.e., severity of problem behaviors) to influence the institutionalization of individuals suffering from dementia. Methods: We utilized multiregional data from 4,761 caregivers of individuals with dementia over a 3-year period.…

Objective: The current study examined how self-reported maternal stress and distress are associated with child disruptive behaviors. Method: Mother and teacher ratings of child disruptive behavior problems (attention problems, aggression, and delinquency) were collected for 215 male participants, ranging in age from 9 to 12 years. Participating…

The long-term effect of two parent training programs for conduct problem preschoolers is reported. Families of 54 behaviorally disturbed preschool-aged children were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 treatment conditions: standard Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (STD), an abbreviated form of PCIT (ABB), and a no-treatment waitlist control group (WL).…

Coaches and school administrators have been threatened, verbally abused, or physically assaulted in school sports incidents. Threats to coaches arise in a sports atmosphere that many observers say is marked by heightened incivility from the professional ranks on down to inter- scholastic and youth leagues. The demanding, coarser attitudes of…

This paper reviews studies investigating the assessment and treatment of hand mouthing in individuals with severe to profound developmental disabilities. A literature search identified 101 studies carried out between 1969 and 2004. The trend in the studies indicated a shift away from aversive interventions in the last 10 years, so this review…

Review of neurochemical investigations in autistic disorder revealed that a wide array of transmitter systems have been studied, including serotonin, dopamine, norepinephrine, acetylcholine, oxytocin, endogenous opioids, cortisol, glutamate, and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). These studies have been complicated by the fact that autism is a very…

This article discusses why children tell a lie and how to help a child develop morality and responsibility for his or her actions. When viewed as part of a child's emotional and intellectual development, it is found that telling lies doesn't condemn a child to a life of betrayal or serious behavior problems. Recent research has shown that lying…

This exploratory study compares elderly suicides with (n = 13) and without (n = 72) family member suicide. Previous episodes of suicidal behavior were more common among suicides who lost first-degree relatives by suicide (100% vs. 65%, p = 0.009). Six persons had lost an offspring by suicide prior to their own deaths. Substance use disorder was…