Objectives: Persons with multiple disabilities may frequently fail to achieve independent leisure engagement and communication with distant partners. The aim of this study was to extend the assessment of a technology-aided program providing support in the aforementioned areas with nine participants with multiple disabilities. Methods: The program…

Background: The aim of this descriptive single case study was to describe a unique interaction with a person with profound intellectual and multiple disabilities (PIMD) in a holistic way--focusing on the client, the staff member, and the interacting dyad--and to include the experiential knowledge of the interaction partner. Method: A videotaped…

Described is the development of the Callier-Azusa Scale to assess abilities of low functioning deaf-blind or otherwise multiply handicapped children. Noted is the inappropriateness of most standardized assessment scales for the deaf-blind child due to his sensory impairments and generally delayed language and social development. It is explained…

The Reiss Screen for Maladaptive Behavior, an instrument used to identify persons with both mental retardation and mental health problems, was evaluated with 89 Dutch adults having mental retardation. Reliability and validity of the scale and relationships with subject characteristics were examined. (Author/DB)

Thirteen children (ages 5-11) with autism and symptoms of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder participated in a double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover study of methylphenidate. Eight subjects responded positively, decreasing their hyperactivity. Ratings of stereotypy and inappropriate speech also decreased, however, no changes were found…

Utility of the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales-Expanded Form to discriminate among areas of adaptive behavior was substantiated by comparing profiles of scores obtained by 113 individuals with mental retardation and either a communication, social behavior, or motor disorder. Results support the use of the Vineland Scales in ecological evaluation…

Presented is the Callier-Azusa Scale designed to aid in the assessment of deaf-blind and multihandicapped children in the areas of motor development, perceptual abilities, daily living skills, language development, and socialization. The scale is said to be predicated on the assumption that given the appropriate environment all children follow the…

Social validation procedures were used to evaluate the extent to which 72 professional staff, 47 nonhandicapped peers, and 47 parents perceived and valued changes in leisure time behavior that occurred with seven severely mentally retarded and multiply handicapped adolescents. (Author/SEW)

Twenty handicapped, preschool children were administered Goal Attainment Follow-ups. This technique for recording and scaling observation data was developed and documented by the Program Evaluation Research Center in Minneapolis. Appropriate scale headings and outcome levels were defined for each child, based on specific problem areas documented…

The Classroom Centers for Multiple Handicapped Children were designed to provide profoundly retarded children with instructional programs meeting individual needs. In addition to the educational and training components of the program, speech and physical therapy services were also included. Seven classroom centers served approximately 56 children…