The transition from school to adulthood is a pivotal time in the lives of all students. For a student with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), change of any kind can be challenging, and a transition as momentous as this can seem especially daunting. Thoughtful planning, sound information, and open communication will help parents support young adults…

This paper illustrates the positivistic nature of person-centered planning (PCP) that is evident in the planning methods employed, the way that individuals with disabilities are described, and in portrayal of the outcomes of PCP. However, a confluence of factors can lead to manifestation of excessive positivism that does not serve PCP…

Youth development moves beyond risk reduction by turning a narrow negative focus on at-risk factors into positive action strategies. Critical components of youth development are providing positive ways for young people to meet their needs and building competencies. Physical, social, cognitive, vocational, and moral competence are described, and…

A needs assessment program can help recreation managers recognize new and changing leisure interests and needs of the people they serve. This article reviews strategies that military services use in needs assessment programs. Issues encountered when conducting an assessment are discussed. (DF)

Describes the Indiana internship program which provided experiential education in vocational special needs to 40 interns in a 10-week summer program. Presents the findings regarding perceived increased competency levels resulting from this experience. (CT)

The goal for the adult educator in modern society is to help individuals gain the competencies to function adequately with perpetual change. Adult education should plan and implement stress management programs as an educational activity that is a basis upon which people can learn to adapt to societal stress and rapid social evolution. The health…

The chapters in this monograph are the written results of presentations made at a 1991 one-day workshop on services to traditionally underserved persons who are deaf. This workshop brought together approximately 40 service providers, consumers, federal officials, researchers, and program administrators to discuss the characteristics of this…

Successful collaboration and problem solving are the foundational processes on which meaningful transition plans are constructed. This article discusses the process of planning for the transition from school to adult life for students with disabilities and suggests that person-centered planning is an ideal vehicle for promoting collaboration and…

To assist persons with developmental disabilities in South Dakota to become more independent, productive, and integrated into the community, the South Dakota Advocacy Project, Inc. implemented the Volunteer Skills Data System (VSDS). As South Dakota is primarily rural, accessibility to services and programs is a particular concern. Community…

Outlines four categories of "prior" questions to consider before embarking on a distance learning program: "Everyone is doing it"; "The promise of income"; "Computers and networks"; and "Potential students." Identifies other questions that focus on types of individual needs and how they are being met; options that could be made available; problems…

This document contains the proceedings from the National Conference on Developmental Disabilities and Gerontology, a conference designed to develop guidelines for program development on national, state, and local levels; develop and disseminate a proceedings publication; and provide an interface between professionals working at national, state,…

The inservice teacher education program described is for teachers at any grade level who need to develop skill in developing and implementing an Individualized Educational Program (IEP) for handicapped children in their class. Included in this informative report is a description of the contents of the learning module involved and the activities…

Because General Educational Development (GED) graduates in Mifflin County, Pennsylvania, were in need of an association to encourage their further educational development and enhance their newly established feelings of self-worth, an alumni association was formed. Within this peer group, alumni vented frustrations, obtained special training,…

This document provides the guidelines to develop a state-wide plan for a continuum of services for deaf-blind individuals. This paper extrapolates from the development of a model plan in Kansas a general set of procedures and policies that can be used by other states and proposes a series of steps for developing a plan for deaf-blind services. The…

Guidance coordinators in secondary schools (n=100) in New Zealand were surveyed concerning guidance services for special needs students, focusing on types of guidance staff available, their involvement with special needs students, service changes over time, and satisfactions and dissatisfactions. Findings related to the roles and resourcefulness…