Learning to communicate using speech and language is a primary developmental task for young children. Delays in the acquisition of language are one of the earliest indicators of developmental deficits that may affect academic and social outcomes for individuals across the life span. In the period since the passage of PL 99-457, significant…

The paper reviews factors affecting development of early intervention programs for all handicapped infants including changing political and economic conditions and programmatic issues (setting, staffing, identification). Finally, the provisions of P.L. 99-457 creating a discretionary infant intervention program are outlined. (Author/DB)

The Education of the Handicapped Act Amendments of 1986 include a rigorous national agenda pertaining to young handicapped children and their families. This agenda was fueled by the documentation of the benefits of early intervention and preschool services and the recognition of the importance of early life experiences. (Author/PB)

A parent with a handicapped child discusses issues in maintaining successful relations between home visitors and client families. The usual goal is to move families out of the at-risk category into a normal lifestyle, or to help parents deal with a child's handicap. (DM)

This article discusses the newly enacted Public Law 99-457, which mandates preschool special education, in the historical context of the implementation of Public Law 94-142. Provisions of the new law are summarized, and a variety of issues (such as interagency coordination) that the field needs to address are discussed. (Author/DB)

Reviews the definition of failure to thrive (FTT) and its relationship to theories of child development as FTT is an early physical marker of risk with long-term consequences. These children are often eligible for services through PL99-457, and psychologists can play an integral role in multidisciplinary evaluation and on intervention team.…

This study examined how personnel issues raised by P.L. 99-457, Education of the Handicapped Amendments (1986) were being met in North Carolina in 1985 and 1988. Data were gathered from the statewide network of home-based intervention services (Early Childhood Service), providing information about 139 staff and consultants in 1985 and 135 in 1988.…

The paper reviews factors affecting the success of handicapped infant intervention programs. The absence of political leadership and support at the federal level, caused by changing political and economic conditions, is discussed. The practical programmatic issues affecting infant intervention which are considered include setting, staffing,…

The implications of such societal changes as increased incidences of single parenthood, divorce, and out-of-home childcare for achieving the family focus in early intervention services as required by Public Law 99-457 are addressed. (Author/DB)

Testimony is presented regarding the Education of the Handicapped Amendments of 1986 which mandates special education for handicapped children from the age of 3 and proposes a discretionary program of infant intervention. Testimony from the following agencies and associations is included: National Association of State Boards of Education; National…

The article proposes that conceptualizing intervention with young disabled children using the framework offered by the ABCX Model of Family Adaptation increases the likelihood that intervention will be planned and conducted in ways reflective of the normalizing approach underlying Public Law 99-457 (Education of the Handicapped Act Amendments,…

A work group convened by the Director of the U.S. Office of Maternal and Child Health examined the need and opportunity for a continuum of care to serve vulnerable populations of pregnant women and infants, and made recommendations for improving linkages among the various services needed by these mothers and their infants. Barriers to linkage…

The report describes Year 1 activities under Part H, the Infant and Toddler Program, of Public Law 99-457, the Education of the Handicapped Amendments of 1986. State contacts for the Part H Program were asked to respond to questions in several major areas including: Interagency Coordinating Council, the use of Part H funds, the status of states'…

Described are the provisions of U.S. Public Law 99-457 (Education of the Handicapped Act Amendments, 1986), which authorizes early intervention services for handicapped infants, toddlers, and preschoolers and their families. Specific components of the law are detailed, followed by implications for families, service providers, and early childhood…

Directed to the state lead agency directors, the memorandum from the Office of Special Education Programs answers questions concerning implementation of Part H of the EHA, Education of the Handicapped Act, the Early Intervention Program for Infants and Toddlers with Handicaps. The following questions are addressed: (1) Can a child who is counted…