The paper discusses 10 educational uses for the microcomputer in acquisition and maintenance of learning with communication-disordered children. Specific needs of communication and communication-related disordered learners are presented. Language arts, reading, and math as academic areas are viewed for remediation using, in part, microcomputer…

Clinicians, students, and administrators can save time and effort in preparing, revising, and producing reports on students with communication disorders by using word processing programs on microcomputers. The article discusses the characteristics, applications, and requirements for word processing programs as well as criteria for selection.…

The article demonstrates the use of word processing commands for the creation of sections of diagnostic reports, intervention plans, and progress summaries. The use of basic commands for searching and finding key words in a core report is illustrated, along with chaining sequences for writing objectives. (Author/CL)

The article discusses the different modes of computer assisted instruction (CAI) and different types of programs available for creating microcomputer-assisted courseware for preservice and inservice education of speech and language pathologists and audiologists. Guidelines for assessing CAI courseware are provided and implications for future uses…

The paper describes the decision process in the determination of software purchase for the professional's use of the microcomputer. Consideration to ensure that the software purchased will be a success, which software will be needed, and options that will facilitate the location and evaluation of software are discussed. (Author/CL)

The principles of ethnography are explained and placed within the domain of social research. Qualitative research in communication is evaluated in terms of the role of interpretation in science, the balance of subjectivity and objectivity in social research, and beliefs about science in American culture. (Author/JDD)

This article describes a nonstandardized method used to assess the degree to which school-aged children with communication disorders are competent with the pragmatic skill of referential communication. Results with six children (ages 8-12) with communication disorders revealed that subjects possessed at least some referential communication…

An overview of interactive video is presented and applications for faculty and staff development, student educational programing, and clinical practica in communication disorders are offered. The use of the videodisc combined with microcomputers is explored in terms of hardware and software. (CL)

Major policy issues relating to children with communication disorders are discussed, along with recommendations for policy changes and a discussion of the barriers that impede progress. Three major issues are covered: provision of services by qualified personnel, caseload size, and availability of a continuum of services. (JDD)

Interactions of two Down Syndrome child-mother dyads were observed during which the level of maternal responding was experimentally decreased. As the percent of maternal utterances decreased, the percent of child revision behaviors increased significantly. As mothers returned to initial levels of responding, the four-year-olds decreased their rate…

This study explored the use of a computer-based requesting system, employing animated graphics and touch-sensitive screen input, with three girls with Rett syndrome (characterized by severe motor disorder, impaired cognitive function, and language disorder). All three girls displayed increased item requesting when provided computer-based…

This article describes techniques, used in a family-centered early intervention project, that both assist in accomplishing the goals of the Individualized Family Service Plan process and create opportunities for families to display their present competencies and acquire new ones to meet the needs of their children with communication disorders.…

A naturalistic probe of early language content was administered to 31 normally developing preschool children. The productivity of 3 different strategies for eliciting 27 content categories was tested and the efficiency of the probe technique compared with analysis of language samples. Results suggest this nonstandardized, criterion-referenced…

Personal observations and reflections recount the first year of experience of a team of two doctoral students specializing in speech-language pathology and early childhood special education. The students were selected to supervise master-level students in training. Aspects of interdisciplinary collaboration, stages of team development, and…

Ethnographic assessment is recommended in the language evaluation of Asian-Pacific American students. Procedures are outlined for collecting data representative of the student's repertoire; for determining how cultural, linguistic, and experiential factors affect student behavior; and for taking the perspective of the student as well as that of…