The feasibility of a pedagogical approach--MultiSensory Music Drama (MSMD)--was investigated in collaboration with a teacher and a student with severe/profound intellectual and multiple disabilities (S/PIMD). Educational research for this group of learners is scarce, but research has suggested the potential of integrating music and multisensory…

The purpose of this project is to develop and to individually examine the efficacy of three different components of an integrated literacy program. No attempt is made to compare the components of the program to each other. Rather, the goal is to determine the effectiveness of each component of the program on the acquisition of the reading of…

Background: Adults with severe challenging behaviour can achieve good "quality of life" outcomes in small supported accommodation services. Yet, the research indicates that they typically experience poorer outcomes than other adults with intellectual disability. This raises questions about the degree to which research has informed…

The article describes a program model for meeting the needs of a widely diverse range of clients using nonaversive strategies to deal with severe behavior problems in community environments. Data from two years of implementation and follow-up designed to evaluate the program are also presented which support the effectiveness of the model.…

The frequency of the child's excess behaviors had significant impact on the nature of identified educational programing priorities, while developmental level did not. (Author/SB)

A coordinated 24-hour (school/residential) plan for determining service for severely and profoundly handicapped students is described. It is explained that the following service concepts are to be considered: whole person planning; integrated/cooperative planning: minimum interruption of the rhythm of existing activities, cost effective delivery…

A program was developed to offer meal-related choices to adults with severe/profound mental retardation. Results indicated that the program, which included a choice-making skill assessment and teaching component along with a staff training and management component, effectively increased choice opportunities offered as well as actual choices made…

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…

Seven papers address the employment of individuals with mental retardation. The first cites nine values critical for employment programs, including opportunities in integrated settings and decent pay for meaningful work. The next paper offers a supported work program consisting of job placement, job-site training, ongoing assessment, and job…

One of the significant results of the 92nd and 93rd Congresses was the statement in the Conference Report: H.R. 8395 clarifying the roles to be played by the federal state grant-in-aid program for vocational rehabilitation. The Conference Report states that the order of selection be modified to require serving first those individuals with the most…

An analysis of transition plans for 84 students (ages 14-21) with severe disabilities was conducted across 24 school divisions in Virginia. Results found 35% were present at their individualized education program (IEP) meetings, 15% participated in their transition plan development, and none were employed outside of the school. (Author/CR)

Issues such as the utility of standardized assessment instruments in the assessment of severely handicapped infants and preschool children are considered. A model is proposed for analyzing underlying cognitive requirements of assessment tasks and for using results of such an analysis for program planning. (Author/DB)

This paper reports on a statewide project in New South Wales, Australia, in which 241 teachers of students with moderate or severe disabilities responded to a survey concerning their needs and concerns in the area of communication interventions. A large number of teachers expressed a need for support in assessment, programming, and instructional…

A general service delivery needs assessment was conducted in the Oklahoma City metropolitan area to determine a need for a cooperative inter-district delivery system for low incidence handicapped students. Secondary hearing impaired students were the primary focus of the study. Data obtained via needs assessment questionnaires from 20 school…

This conference report provides a summary of the work of the Participatory Planning Conference for Rehabilitation Program Evaluation. It is organized into four major sections relating to the Rehabilitation Services Administration sub-goals of: (1) recruitment and selection; (2) restoration and training; (3) employment; and (4) capacity-building.…