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 training manual was developed as a result of a summer training institute held in 1986 for teachers of low-incidence populations (those made up of students with severe and multiply handicapping conditions). The institute aimed to provide teachers with the latest information and technology to assess and develop early communication skills, and…

Among suggestions for integrating assessment data into individualized education programs for multiply handicapped deaf students are to use criterion-referenced instruments and to view the domain areas as potential goal statements, the subdomains as potential long term objectives, and subcategory items as potential short term objectives. (Author/CL)

Techniques are presented to teach students with severe and multiple handicaps to record their performance data using adapted mechanical or electronic counting devices such as calculators. Described are the purposes of self-recording, materials needed, training guidelines, and evaluation procedures. (JDD)

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…

Discusses the assessment component of individualized education programs for students with visual impairments. Important issues reviewed are the appropriate selection of a battery of tests; the knowledge base about a particular vision condition; the importance of supplementing testing information with meaningful observations and interviews; and…

This article examines the reasons for measurement, types of measurement procedures and how these techniques may be applied by a teacher in the classroom. Advantages and disadvantages of various measurement techniques including percent, count, frequency, latency, and duration are discussed and an applied example of each tactic is given. (Author)

Practical and concise, this introductory guide is filled with real-world tips and strategies for anyone working to improve the communication of children with moderate, severe, and multiple disabilities. Emphasizing the link between behavior and communication, three respected researchers transform up-to-date research and proven best practices into…

The paper defines the population of primary school age language/learning-disabled children with communication disorders and emotional/behavioral disorders. It then discusses the language demands of traditional treatment methods, assessment and diagnostic procedures, approaches to communication intervention, and treatment modalities; and offers a…

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…

Discussion of transdisciplinary activity-based assessment for young children with multiple disabilities focuses on application of assessment results to program planning for inclusion of these children in typical early childhood classes. Assessment steps are detailed and a sample assessment protocol is included. A case study is used to illustrate…

The guidelines discuss appropriate educational services for children with special health problems. An initial chapter considers the range of common needs of this population, including modification of daily schedule and health related services. Five suggestions are offered to support families, among them understanding needs and rights and…

This manual presents an assessment instrument designed to help teachers, educational specialists, speech-language therapists, psychologists, and other service providers evaluate the communication skills of children, adolescents, and young adults who have multiple disabilities, including severe or profound mental retardation and deafblindness. It…

This paper examines the family of disorders referred to as attention deficit disorders (ADD). It addresses the topics of special education legislation; the history of ADD; associated conditions (learning disabilities, behavior/emotional disorders, and other health impairments); assessment; treatment (medical and educational, family counseling, and…