Background: The improvement of engagement and involvement in communicative and socially centred exchanges for individuals with multiple and severe disability (MSD) presents complex and urgent challenges to educators. This paper reports the findings of an intervention study designed to enhance the interactive skills of students with MSD using an…

Presented is the final report of a 3-year (1970-1973) project, funded by Title III, to develop a model instructional and training program with 10 (five each year) 6- to 8-year-old, multiply handicapped, deaf children at the Indiana School for the Deaf. Described are use of a separate building at the school, experimental summer programs 1969-1972…

Presented is the final report of a 1-year New York City program of 18 special classes for 133 doubly (physically and mentally) handicapped children, 5-20 years of age. Noted are criteria for student selection such as IQ below 75, the presence of one or more physical handicaps, and completion of toilet training. It is reported that most pupils…

The social participation patterns of 28 young children with visual impairments (some with additional disabilities) during free-play periods was compared across specialized and integrated settings. Although no significant differences were found between settings, there were significant differences between children with and without additional…

Israeli elementary-level hearing-impaired students (N=188) were studied to determine the relation between background variables (family characteristics, student characteristics, and educational intervention) and educational placement (special schools, special classes, or regular classes). Placement was found to be related to socioeconomic status,…

Forty students with severe disabilities were evaluated across two years of either inclusive or self-contained educational programming. Comparison of child development and social competence found the inclusive group made statistically significant gains on the developmental measure and realized higher social competence scores in comparison to the…

Presented is an evaluation of a program in seven schools in New York City which provided 19 special classes for 174 doubly handicapped students--mentally retarded and severely physically handicapped--ranging in age from 5 to 21 years old. Among findings listed are that the 30 higher functioning Ss who were given the Wide Range Achievement Test did…

This case study describes the 2-year process of moving a young child with severe disabilities and complex medical needs from a special school setting to a special class in a regular education setting. The child had Marshall-Smith Syndrome, characterized by respiratory, pulmonary, and skeletal abnormalities, and developmental delays due to the…

Presented is an evaluation of a summer program which consisted of individualized and small group instruction in reading and arithmetic, recreational activities, and field trips designed to promote academic and socialization skills for 506 handicapped children. The program is noted to have had four components: severely emotionally handicapped,…

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…