The effects of prior information upon perceptions of exceptional children

Students in a university special education course were shown three identical videotapes of children in a school setting. The subjects were randomly divided into three groups, each receiving different written background information (“positive,” “neutral,” or “negative”) prior to viewing the videotapes. It was found that the variations in written information had significant effects upon the subjects' perceptions of the children's behavior, and upon the degree to which the children were regarded as able to function successfully in a regular classroom. These findings suggest that attitudes toward exceptional children are influenced by the way in which prior information, such as that contained in a child's educational records, is presented. Teacher and peer acceptance of exceptional children can be increased if information is presented in a realistic and positive manner.     

Social skills training with underachievers,disruptive, and exceptional children

One hundred-one fourth, fifth, and sixth graders at a Southern California elementary school were randomly assigned by classroom to either a social skills training program or a no treatment control condition. On the basis of teacher ratings, subpopulations of subjects were identified: 17 Underachievers, 40 Disruptive children, 29 children with Multiple Problems, and 15 Exceptional children. In the intervention classes, subjects were randomly assigned to groups of 6 subjects each and received training for one hour twice a week for 12 weeks. Measures of social skills, peer popularity, teacher ratings, and grade-point averages were collected to evaluate the intervention. The results indicated that subjects improved most in the area not targeted as a problem for the subject; i.e., Underachievers improved their social relationships, Disruptive children increased in academic skills, and Exceptional children increased significantly in both areas. A discussion followed of the optimum intervention strategy, building on children's existing strengths vs. targeting deficits.