Dental services for mentally retarded persons in the community provided by Tufts Dental Facilities in Massachusetts are described. Principles of developing a community program including establishing a data base, interacting with the generic system, and developing a strategy for service delivery are explained. (DB)

This article describes the development of statewide system change in positive behavior support being implemented by the South Carolina Department of Disabilities and Special Needs in collaboration with the University of South Carolina. Key areas discussed include the impetus for change, the development process, plan components, capacity building,…

The article describes the implementation and results of a developmentally sequenced language program for 21 severely, profoundly, and multihandicapped students (mean CA=10 years, mean MA=20 months). (SBH)

This paper presents the Institute of Medicine model of the dynamic nature of the disabling process of both primary disabilities and secondary conditions, and the interaction of that process with risk factors and quality of life. The components of a comprehensive disability prevention program are discussed. (Author/JDD)

To assess consistency between maternal and professional assessment of child performance, 31 mothers of disabled children (6-36 months old) participating in an intervention program completed measures of infant development, behavior, and characteristics. Maternal and staff assessments were found to be highly similar. Implications for programs are…

Recent emphasis on employment for students labeled mentally retarded has presented new challenges for educators in the design and implementation of high school programs. Promising practices for facilitating the achievement of full employment for these students are suggested, and trends that will influence the manner in which services are provided…

This paper clarifies terms associated with leisure service delivery for children and adults with mental retardation; outlines limitations of past and existing leisure services; and suggests the development of leisure services that involve social integration, active participation, development of age-appropriate behaviors, self-determination, and…

This paper recommends adoption of a new vision of mental retardation prevention and an ecological approach to understanding the causation of mental retardation. The paper concludes that a comprehensive, coordinated, and integrated prevention program is needed that addresses a variety of personal, social, and environmental risk factors and the…

This paper examines factors associated with meaningful family involvement in program planning for community residential services for individuals with mental retardation. It is argued that personnel in placement settings are often ambivalent about more family involvement. Guidelines for involving families at every stage both before and after…

Different models for international activities in mental retardation and developmental disabilities are described, as well as principles that characterize successful international programs. A case study of an international exchange and technical assistance project conducted between a University Affiliated Program and Antigua and Barbuda, West…

This article describes the research methods used in the recruitment and analysis of a sample of 72 Puerto Rican mothers of a child with mental retardation. Emphasis is on the importance of involving the community in order to: (1) ensure that the community benefits, (2) strengthen the scientific integrity of the study, and (3) facilitate sample…

Elements of a model for delivering statewide behavioral programing services to individuals with mental retardation in residential, training, and educational settings are described. The model includes such components as identification of levels of behavioral competence among staff members, an intervention approval process, regional behavioral…

This article reports results of a peer jury system to deal with inappropriate behaviors among residents of a community-based residential treatment program for offenders with mental retardation. Comparison before and after program implementation indicated statistically significant improvement in 7 of the 8 behavior areas and for 11 of the 12 adult…

A systematic approach to curriculum development for students with severe disabilities enrolled in extended school year programs is described. The approach is community driven, consistent with student Individualized Education Program objectives, tailored to the individual student, and teaches functional skills performed by individuals without…

Opinions of professionals from 16 agencies were obtained to identify techniques that agencies serving adults or adolescents with mental retardation could utilize to provide systematic sex education and counseling. Recommendations are offered in five areas: self-advocacy and self-determination, individual design, staff training and support,…