The process of toilet training a boy with Rubinstein-Taybi Syndrome is addressed. Emphasized are the joint effort of the teacher and parents, the frustration at the seeming lack of progress, the use of rewards and "positive practices," and the ultimate success of the boy's toilet training program. (JDD)

A toilet training method for autistic children is described, involving selection of one optimum time per day and challenging the child to urinate. Other toileting times are added, and eventually the youngster is rewarded for remaining dry. Appended are a training data sheet and instructions on using time-out to reduce severe problems. (Author/SW)

Representatives were surveyed from 36 parent training programs dealing with school-to-adult-life transition, to identify practices which appeared to correlate strongly with positive outcomes for parents, professionals, and children/youth with special needs. Strategies which were identified as essential to parent/professional collaborative training…

This project was designed to identify effective parent/professional collaborative training strategies related to transition. Following a review of the literature on collaborative efforts, methodology is presented for a survey of 36 programs. The survey addressed four key areas: elements related to the type and level of training, demographic…

In this resource, educational coach Karla Reiss helps superintendents, principals, and teachers understand the fundamentals of effective leadership coaching programs that result in long-lasting educational change. Using a balance of theory and practice, Reiss offers 11 core competencies adopted by the rapidly growing coaching profession including…

In view of popular press coverage of controversial approaches to treating learning disabilities, the article briefly reviews evidence concerning the following: neurophysiological retraining (patterning, optometric visual training, cerebellar-vestibular remediation, and applied kinesiology); and orthomolecular medicine (concerning megavitamins,…

Kicking activities are recommended to provide severely disabled children with greater coordination, improved dexterity, increased leg strength, and physical enjoyment. Steps are outlined to achieve three goals: touch a ball, push a ball, and kick a ball. Several teaching suggestions are provided. (JDD)

Containing four sections of materials for workshop presenters to teach phonics and word recognition, this guide assists early reading program educators (grades K-3) in enhancing the Reading and Language Arts knowledge and skills of Texas students. Section 1, an introduction, defines the purpose of the guide and outlines six goals. Section 2,…

The mother of a young head injured nonverbal child describes ways used to increase the child's communicative ability including gestures, sign language, and communication boards. (DB)

This special section on the spirit of play discusses (1) characteristics of adult play; (2) styles of playfulness; (3) the creation of environments that foster children's sense of wonder; and (4) strategies for training teachers to be playful and to be attentive to children's play. (HOD)

This manual, written in workbook form, presents a self-management program for individuals with severe disabilities. The program is designed to facilitate treatment gains in multiple settings and in the absence of a treatment provider. The steps in the program include: (1) getting ready (define behaviors, measure behaviors, choose a reward, and…

A 36-item observation instrument was developed for measuring appropriate social development in infants and toddlers. Checklist items indicated such behaviors as asking, protecting, comforting, lending, sharing, hugging, playing with, joining, laughing, smiling, looking at, performing request, leading, following, and conversing. Use of the…

This document is a guide to provide the foundation for developing local Head Start programs into strong communities for staff and families. Using workshop and coaching activities, the guide initiates a process of staff training and development designed to foster cooperation between families and staff. These activities encourage Head Start staff…

This monograph aims to assist parents in dealing with behavior problems of children with disabilities. It begins with a case history of an 8-year-old girl with learning disabilities, emotional problems, and behavior problems and her parents' advocacy efforts to obtain an appropriate educational environment for her. Aversive interventions are…

The purpose of this manual is to provide guidelines for developing and implementing a substitute teacher program for Head Start parents. Designed for Head Start education coordinators, directors, teachers, parent involvement coordinators, policy council members, and parents, the guide offers a step-by-step procedure including a program needs…