The keynote presentation in a 1983 conference on the needs of seriously emotionally disturbed/behavior disordered and autistic students identifies six areas of needs and proposes ways in which the needs may be resolved. The first need noted, identification, is addressed in terms of confusion and inadequate measures related to definitions, diagnosis, and screening. Human services, the second area of need, is discussed in terms of unserved students and teacher recruitment and retention. Gaps in the third area of need, service delivery, include lack of regular education alternatives, lack of career vocational programing, and inadequate options at the secondary level. Recommendations for improved service delivery center on alternative staffing and programing and the existence of collaborative programs. A lack of progress in developing interagency collaboration is noted as the fourth area of need, while the aspects of advocacy, parenting skills and attitudes, and community support are considered as the fifth. The roles of administrative personnel and professional organizations in fostering peer acceptance and community support are emphasized. The sixth and final need area identified is preservice and inservice teacher training; the author comments on the extensive growth in inservice education. (CL)