The intervention of Intensive Interaction is gaining attention for its demonstrated effectiveness in promoting social engagement in individuals with severe communicative impairments. The present study sought to extend the evidence base for this intervention by investigating the rapidity with which an increase in engagement becomes apparent.…

Background: People with severe intellectual disability have limited communication skills, small social networks, and may experience isolation. Little is known about how interactions occur with social network members and the role of social support. Method: An adult with a severe intellectual disability was observed in her daily environments. Her…

The 1% of US students with labels of severe disabilities including mental retardation have been historically excluded from "inclusive" education, and from the important epistemological, political, pedagogical, and pragmatic currents in systemic education reform. They have been also been excluded from the design of, and participation in, the…

Studies of the child-adult interaction with children or adolescents with severe handicaps demonstrated the importance of analyzing correctly the interaction modalities and knowing which are means used spontaneously by the child before introducing technical aids for communication. (Author/DB)

The facilitator's guide is for an inservice training module (5 or 6 hours) on strategies for interaction with severely handicapped students for regular and special education teachers. Suggested activities include a discussion on professional resources, brainstorming on types of interactions possible with the severely handicapped, identification of…

Direct observation procedures were utilized in assessing the social interactions of 37 adults with severe disabilities in 18 employment programs, representing 3 different supported employment contexts (individual, enclave, and work crew). The data gathered focused on: (1) job engagement time; (2) extent of interaction with work supervisor, human…

This study examined the impact of 3 years of full inclusion of students with severe disabilities in a Lansing (Michigan) high school. Teacher and parent surveys as well as observations of student interactions and classrooms were used to evaluate inclusion of seven students with low-incidence disabilities (autistic impairment, trainable mental…