The booklet provides an overview of the characteristics of young children with handicapping conditions and the components of effective preschool programs for this population. It then discusses the complex issues and implications of recent legislation (Public Law 99-457, Education of the Handicapped Amendments--1986) mandating preschool programs…

The monograph presents essential components of a decision making sequence used to incorporate formalized family assessment and service planning procedures into two existing early intervention programs in Massachusetts. The 1-year effort used a consultant to: (1) redefine screening and assessment processes to include both child and family centered…

A survey was conducted to determine states' progress towards developing a definition for developmentally delayed infants and toddlers as required by Public Law 99-457, Part H. Results of the survey, conducted in the summer of 1988, indicated that many states had made a great deal of progress toward developing a policy regarding the definition of…

The importance of well-planned, meaningful assessments is emphasized in planning effective educational programs for severely communicatively impaired individuals. Assessment and evaluation are defined, and key provisions of Public Law 94-142 and Public Law 99-457 are outlined. Several issues to be considered in establishing effective…