The article discusses procedures for development and implementation of a curriculum to shape functional skills for severely multiply or severely profoundly disabled preschoolers. Five response levels of increasing complexity are suggested. Teachers urged to be sensitive to child-determined instructional occasions in early assessment and…

The paper reviews cognitive development during the sensorimotor period (approximately the first two years of life) and considers approaches to assessing multihandicapped, deaf-blind, or severely/profoundly retarded students functioning at this level. Evaluation and training of basic sensorimotor schemes (visual fixation and tracking, sucking, and…

The paper addresses the assessment of sensorimotor and communication skills in profoundly/multiply handicapped children. The problems inherent in assessing this population are described, including lack of validity of developmental norms established on children with intact sensory systems. Factors affecting sensory organization are reviewed,…

The article provides guidelines for developing curriculum objectives for multiply involved hearing-impaired students. Emphasis is placed on procedures for establishing instructional priorities, assessing the learner against these priorities, selecting and using prosthetics to overcome learning and behavioral deficits, providing educational…

It is suggested that curricula for young multiply handicapped children should be based on well articulated child development models which specify milestones to be demonstrated as well as contexts in which they will be demonstrated. It is further suggested that the criterion of ultimate functioning should also be considered in choosing one design…

The guide is intended to help teachers of severely and multiply handicapped elementary students develop curriculum and describes techniques for the systematic consideration of needs in the areas of communication, mobility, and object manipulation. An initial section focuses on assessment strategies, including the use of teacher made skill…

The article presents a strategy for developing instructional programs for multiply handicapped deaf students, which has been successfully field-tested in New Mexico public schools. (DLS)

Two educators describe the changes in a severely retarded, multiply disabled 12-year-old resulting from a functional curriculum approach. Assessment of his life needs and skills produced a new curriculum with emphasis on age appropriate interests. (CL)

This article describes challenges and solutions to the integration of children with multiple disabilities into supported regular elementary classes: (1) providing a functional curriculum in a regular class; (2) providing community-based instruction; (3) scheduling staff coverage; and (4) promoting social integration. Solutions are illustrated with…

Computer-assisted instruction can aid in the implementation of British National Curriculum requirements with children having profound and multiple learning difficulties. Suggestions are given for developing visual skills, auditory skills, cognitive skills, vocalization, communication, fine motor skills, and gross motor skills. (DB)

Intended for use by New York City special education teachers with little or no experience serving students with dual sensory impairments as well as cognitive disabilities, the manual identifies teaching strategies that are easy to implement yet based on direct experience and the current research. Chapter titles and sample topics include the…

The paper addresses issues involved in the management of and curriculum for children with sensory impairments combined with cerebral palsy. The first part details typical deformities and their causes in children with cerebral palsy, and describes (with illustrations) techniques for therapeutic handling and positioning in daily living tasks at home…

This first volume in a two-volume series which contains training modules on the education of children and youth with dual sensory and multiple impairments focuses on training parents to be knowledgeable consumers of intervention strategies and educational services for their children. The four modules in this volume address the following areas: (1)…

The monograph is intended to offer educators a systematic approach to using electronic technology and computers with students having multiple handicaps. A model is presented which features a top down approach to curriculum with emphasis on developing age-appropriate functional skills useful in future environments. A training sequence based upon…

This second volume in a two-volume series which contain training modules on the education of children and youth with dual sensory and multiple impairments focuses on preservice or inservice training of service providers who deliver educational services to these children. The five modules in this volume address the following areas: (1) introduction…