This introduction to a special section provides the basic definitions and presents the measurement approaches and data analytic techniques that are collectively referred to as chaos theory. The conceptualization and assessment of unstable behavioral disorders can be strengthened by incorporating elements of chaos theory. (SLD)

The Double Struggle Life Space Crisis Intervention is a clinical intervention aiming to resolve student crises and address inappropriate staff behavior during crisis. As more inclusion takes place in the public schools, the frequency of student/staff crises will rise. Gives reasons for unprofessional staff behavior, a brief case study, and…

Ratings of 224 students with serious emotional disturbances by 40 teachers indicated that conduct disorders were very prevalent, were correlated with other problematic aspects of temperament and classroom competence, and co-occurred with other types of behavioral problems. Implications of the study for making eligibility decisions for special…

This study found that behaviorally disordered high school students (n=25) enrolled in either an alternative or traditional school setting were significantly lower in moral reasoning compared to their nonbehaviorally disordered peers. The correlation between time spent in the alternative setting and moral reasoning was positive but not significant.…

This study compared the effects of two cover, copy, and compare interventions on the written multiplication performance of two elementary school students with behavioral disorders. The verbal response condition resulted in greater increases in written multiplication performance and occasioned more than twice the number of opportunities to respond…

This article reviews the literature on children prenatally exposed to drugs and alcohol, the potential impact on the educational and social services systems, and implications for programing for children identified as behaviorally disordered. (Author/JDD)

Results of a survey of 145 special education administrators in 27 states are presented under 4 headings: student identification practices; service delivery; student exit procedures; and program evaluation practices. Findings indicate student identification procedures are fairly well developed, whereas student exit and evaluation practices are less…

This study demonstrated that 4 students (ages 6-12) with mental retardation or behavior disorders learned to treat abrasions, as indicated by pretest-posttest generalization probes conducted using nontrained injuries on the participants and another person. Skill acquisition data were roughly equivalent across two training programs (social modeling…

The Index of Personality Characteristics (IPC) and the Social Reasoning subtest of the British Ability Scales were administered to 36 students with behavior disorders (BD) and 37 nonexceptional students in grades 3-7. Results indicated that the IPC composite score in combination with the Social Reasoning subtest accurately predicted BD…

This paper discusses the assessment of psychiatric and behavior disorders occurring in people with developmental disorders and the problems arising when such behavior results in offenses against the law. The paper argues that a multidisciplinary approach is needed in such cases, given the complex interaction among possible brain pathology,…

Assessed role of social support in outcome of child management training (CMT) for single parents and assessed impact of adjunctive ally support training (AST) on treatment outcome. Single parents (n=22) with oppositional or conduct-disordered child received either CMT or CMT plus AST. Both groups improved, with changes maintained at followup; AST…

This article presents findings from a report on educational services for students with emotional and behavioral disturbances. It describes problematic findings related to curriculum, behavior management, and mental health services and considers alternatives to prevailing current practices. (Author/DB)

In sample of 177 clinic-referred children aged 7-13, association was found between diagnosis of conduct disorder and several aspects of family functioning: maternal parenting (supervision and persistence in discipline) and parent adjustment (paternal antisocial personality disorder and paternal substance abuse). Children with oppositional defiant…

This article chronicles the development of level systems designed for students with significant behavior problems, to foster student improvement through self-management and positive reinforcement. The article examines assumptions underlying level systems' concepts and components and offers recommendations to guide future research into the design…

This article reviews research indicating that teachers' behavior is negatively affected by disruptive and aggressive responses of students with emotional/behavior disorders. It presents strategies to reduce classroom aversiveness, to reduce students' need to escape or avoid instruction through aggressive or disruptive responses, and thereby…