The aim of this study was to identify how and why doctoral students do interdisciplinary research. A mixed-methods approach utilising bibliometric analysis of the publications of 195 students identified those who had published interdisciplinary research. This objective measurement of the interdisciplinarity, applying the Rao-Stirling index to Web…

It is crucial for Tech Comm instructors to address challenges of audience within the artificial environment of classroom instruction. Without a distinct and specific audience, course content often remains theoretical and abstract, and students struggle both to connect the unknown to the known, and to generate meaningful and effective…

The article examines the strengths and weaknesses of current special education practices and suggests alternatives that may facilitate the integration of special educators into the mainstream of education. (SB)

Models of collaboration among disciplines and among agencies have been developed in the early intervention field in response to the need for service coordination for young special needs children and their families. Case management is seen as a mechanism for effectively coordinating these services, and encompasses the tasks of assessing client…

An overview is presented of common causes of vision loss in young children and the impact of a visual impairment on development and learning. The article also discusses the role of the family and team members in meeting the intervention needs as well as issues affecting delivery of early intervention services. (Author/DB)

The paper reviews trends in the integration of young disabled children and proposes replacement of the traditional concept of least restrictive environment as a continuum of placement with a concept of integration opportunities determined by individual child needs, family needs, and community resources. The need for integrated service delivery…

This discussion of the role of interagency collaboration in implementation of Part H of Public Law 99-457 focuses on interagency collaboration as a foundation for early intervention services; critical points in establishing a collaborative foundation; cornerstones for building lasting interagency systems; and realities that affect collaboration.…

The review examines the literature on services and needs of learning disabled students at the postsecondary level. Statistics are given showing that many learning disabled students do seek postsecondary education. Problems of definition and identification at the postsecondary level are noted. Observable characteristics of learning disabled…

The author reviews current practices in the educational diagnosis of exceptional children and proposes a model for more effective identification, screening, and evaluation of students with special needs. Problems and benefits of models in current use (multidisciplinary team approach, the training based model, and the psychometric approach) are…

The article examines the increased numbers of students with complex health needs in the schools, definitions and characteristics of this population, issues and educational policies in providing education to these students, and program practices in educational service delivery. Stressed is service in the least restrictive environment and…

This paper examined issues that affect rural students with exceptionalities and identified effective techniques to reverse problems confronting these students. Following an introductory section, an overview of rural special education programs identifies consistent problems of misidentification, mistakes in assessment, misclassification,…

Despite limited references to guidance and counseling in federal legislation on the handicapped, school counselors are deeply involved in the delivery of appropriate services. An individualized education program (IEP) can include counseling services for both special and regular education placements and provide intervention, as well as support.…

A shortage of occupational therapists as well as fiscal constraints have made it difficult to meet the legal mandate under Public Law 94-142 (Education for All Handicapped Children Act) that occupational therapy be provided as a related service to handicapped children when needed to enable them to benefit from special education programs. A review…

Second in a series of three publications which address the prevention and treatment of developmental handicaps, the volume continues the effort to expand working relationships among university affiliated facilities (UAFs) and Title V Maternal and Child Health Programs. Five papers in Section I address developmental issues as of 1984:…

Key points in the articles of this issue are discussed and preliminary criteria for school-linked service efforts are reviewed. Six critical issues requiring additional attention in implementing school-linked services are the following: (1) systemic change; (2) targeting; (3) financing; (4) evaluation; (5) state and federal leadership; and (6)…