Describes a series of 16 longitudinal studies conducted by Utah State University on alternative early intervention programs for disabled children, focusing on the intensity of intervention, the age intervention begins, and parent involvement. Reviews factors that gave rise to the studies, research designs and procedures, and data interpretation.…

Compared a classroom-based early intervention program for disabled children and the same program with a parent training-support component. Found a small, immediate effect on child and family functioning and a long-term positive effect on child educational placement and teacher perceptions of child functioning, in favor of the parent involvement…

Compared a center-based early intervention program for disabled children and the same program with a parent training-support component. Found no immediate or long-term benefits in child or family functioning for parent component participants in the first four years of follow-up. Concludes however, that parents should still be involved in…