This article outlines problems associated with large mental hospitals, describes how knowledge gained from these problems can be used to create alternative treatment programs, and introduces the papers in this special issue on community-based treatment programs for individuals with developmental disabilities. (JDD)

This article reviews the effects of homework on students with disabilities (especially learning disabilities or behavior disorders), the essentials of effective homework programs, and variables affecting home-school partnerships. It highlights three training packages: a cooperative learning teams-based approach for classrooms and two parent…

Two severely handicapped children (ages 5-6) exhibiting self-injurious behavior were treated with negative reinforcement (brief escape from grooming activities) contingent upon a behavior that was incompatible with self-injury (pressing a microswitch that activated a "stop" message). Treatment led to decreased self-injury, which was maintained at…

This article defines, provides a rationale for, and describes the implementation of a classroom management level system in a middle school program for students with severe behavior disorders. The system is a motivational plan for behavioral improvement based upon a graduated series of levels with increasing student responsibility and privileges.…

Clinical research has established a connection between childhood trauma and the development of dissociative disorders in adults. Pathological dissociation produces a range of symptoms and behaviors such as amnesias, rapid shifts in mood and behavior, and auditory and visual hallucinations. Many of these symptoms are misdiagnosed as attention,…

This paper argues that the new federal definition for emotional or behavioral disorders may deny services to many deserving pupils, such as urban socially maladjusted youth, homosexuals, historically oppressed minorities, and students from low-income households. The role of teachers, teacher education programs, and professional groups in this…

Research is reviewed on classroom behavior, demandingness, and beliefs of effective teachers of nonhandicapped students with behavior problems, and the need for different attitudes and additional skills for teaching students with behavioral disorders is discussed. Teacher characteristics analyzed include instructional and management strategies,…

This article describes token economy systems for use with students with severe behavioral disorders, including systems extending from the classroom into home life. Techniques for soliciting parent participation, training parents, and maintaining the system are put forth. Variations on the system and a sample checklist are also included. (PB)

This study of parenting stress, child behavior, and dysphoria among 150 families found that parents of children with autism and behavior disorders reported more stress than parents of Down's syndrome or nondisabled children. Mothers of Down's syndrome children did not differ from mothers of nondisabled children on any measures. No major age or…

Two studies of three youths (ages 12-14) with severe mental retardation, who used aggression and self-injury to avoid difficult instructional situations, found that simple commands interspersed among more challenging instructional trials were effective at increasing the learners' responsiveness to instructions and decreasing levels of problem…

The author of EC 607 583 responds to questions about her research on mainstreamed behaviorally disordered aggressive adolescents' perceptions of helpful and unhelpful teacher attitudes and behaviors. Issues relevant to future research in this area are noted. (JDD)

This article suggests that, because a hostile environment is associated with the development of mental and behavioral disorders, a restructuring of the schools to incorporate ongoing nurturing and academic training of younger students by older students would develop important psychological skills and thereby prevent mental and behavioral…

This paper addresses effective longitudinal technical assistance for professionals serving young children with challenging behaviors. Critical components of such assistance include identifying and training districtwide technical assistance teams, developing operating procedures, generating districtwide support, and evaluating team effectiveness.…

Reviews research on influence of child's family context on development of conduct problems. Addresses what critical aspects of child's family context (parental psychological adjustment, parental marital adjustment, parental socialization practices) seem related to development of conduct problems and how these factors might affect child. Discusses…

This article argues against having special educators observe regular teachers prior to selection of teachers for mainstreamed students with emotional or behavioral disorders, disagreeing on the grounds that special education teachers do not have the time, the knowledge, the skills, or the authority to select teachers. (DB)