The Living with Asthma Program is designed to teach asthma self-management skills to children (ages 8-12) with asthma and to give their parents the knowledge and behavior modification skills to help their children take over responsibility for managing the condition. Both groups receive training in problem solving and in ways to improve family interactions that relate to the management of the child's asthma. The parents participate in eight sessions which utilize a variety of teaching techniques, including lecture, discussion, role playing, decision making and problem solving, modeling, homework, audiotapes, written handouts, and visual materials. Topics of the sessions are: (1) understanding the nature of asthma; (2) medication management of asthma; (3) basic concepts of learning, including positive reinforcement; (4) behavioral terms and techniques useful for self-management; (5) antecedent conditions; (6) concurrent conditions; (7) possible consequences of asthma; and (8) problem solving. The manual provides an overall leader's guide plus materials specifically designed for teaching the topics covered in each session, including a summary of goals and resources, a session activity list, extensive teaching notes and background material, visual aids, and handouts to be copied and distributed to participants. (VW)