Research Findings: This study compared the effects of content-based shared book-reading instruction versus an explicit vocabulary-only condition on the vocabulary development of preschool dual language learners (DLLs). Using shared book reading as the mode of instruction, we randomly assigned 48 bilingual preschool teachers and 281…

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…

Examined the effectiveness of small sets of predictor variables for correctly identifying children as developmentally delayed at four to seven years of age. A combination of six biomedical risk items, maternal education level, and four subscale scores from the Home Observation for Measurement of the Environment Inventory is effective when used as…

Examined the effects of number of hours of early intervention services received by 72 disabled children on benefits received by children and their families. Found that hours of services received were not related to gains in child development levels. Suggests that increased services are not cost effective despite some benefits for mothers. (BCY)

Advocates research on the effectiveness of early intervention programs for disabled children based on scientific method, rather than advocacy of positions. Reviews effective intervention practices. Illustrates use of the biosocial systems research model, examining biological traits in the context of social systems. Discusses benefits of this…

Compared outcomes for visually impaired children and their families in two early intervention programs: a weekly, home-based program treating children and a program of monthly meetings for parents. Found that the more expensive, weekly program had negligible effects on child and family functioning. (BCY)

Compared cost effectiveness of an in-hospital intervention approach for medically fragile infants and a traditional approach of postdischarge referrals. Found that the in-hospital approach resulted in five times as many hours of intervention services for infants and cost three times as much as the referral approach, with few differences in effects…