Few prior research studies have examined the cognitive functioning of depressed children. The present research determined that selected depressed children have short-term memory processing deficits compared to their nondepressed peers. Overt rehearsal and free recall requirements allowed for direct examination of the effortful process of rehearsal. The major findings of the study indicate that on the average depressed children rehearsed less both in repetition of words and in the size of their rehearsal sets at preselected serial positions. The nondepressed children on the average recalled more words than the depressed children. The present research demonstrates that depressed children have short-memory deficits and thus indicates the need for further research on the characteristics of childhood depression.

A statewide survey of moderate and severe behavior disorders in persons with mental retardation in institutional and community settings was conducted. Information on the treatment procedures used and the adequacy of available resources in both settings was also gathered. Results indicated that community staff had considerably less experience than institutional staff in dealing with serious behavior disorders exhibited by persons with substantial cognitive and physical impairments. The types of aberrant behaviors with the highest prevalence rates showed differences in the institutions and the community. The largest differences in prevalence rates for severe behavior disorders in the two settings occurred for aggressive and self-injurious behaviors. Community staff thus had appreciably less experience than institutional staff in designing interventions for severe aggressive and self-injurious behaviors. About half of the identified individuals in both settings received psychotropic medications. Institutional staff were most likely to use restrictive behavioral procedures than community staff. Findings indicated that the most restrictive procedures were used primarily with only certain severe behavior disorders. Subjective ratings of the overall effectiveness of interventions were lower by community than institutional staff. The usefulness of the obtained data base for statewide planning in the area of behavioral supports is discussed.Severe behavior disorders are a major concern in programs serving persons with mental retardation. Aberrant behavior is repeatedly cited as an obstacle to successful adjustment of persons with mental retardation to their environ-*

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