Using data from the Special Education Elementary Longitudinal Study (SRI International, 2002), this study estimated reading growth trajectories in a nationally representative sample of 3,421 students with disabilities ages 7 to 17 representing 11 federal disability categories. Reading achievement in all disability categories increased with age,…

Proponents of a social model of disability derive their arguments from social constructionism. They combine different disabling conditions under one term: disability. Subsequently, they apply the specific viewpoint of the disability rights social movement of people with physical disabilities to other conditions such as intellectual disabilities,…

Differences were found between perceived concerns of teachers who had (group 2) and teachers who had not (group 1) taught the physically handicapped. The major concern expressed by most of group 1 teachers involved toileting responsibilities, while the major concern of group 2 teachers was lack of materials. (SB)

Educators (N=105, predominantly regular classroom teachers) appeared to perceive students' behavior problems as more serious when displayed by nonhandicapped or physically handicapped students than when displayed by mentally handicapped students. Ss recommended more behavioral treatments having an authoritarian orientation for nonhandicapped than…

An evaluation of 195 physically handicapped children found 43 percent with some degree of mental retardation, 25 percent with psychological maladjustment, and 20 percent from families experiencing problems adjusting to the handicapped child. Incidence of hearing loss (7 percent), speech problems (37 percent), and of five categories of physical…

Behaviors of 16 teachers who had a day to day contact with 23 physically handicapped, mainstreamed high schoolers were observed and categorized. Data revealed that teachers spent significantly more time, on average, assisting the handicapped students. (CL)

This study compared interstate variability of prevalence rates for special education categories from 1984 to 1985 through 2001 to 2002, using the coefficient of variation (CV), which is designed to compare variances when the means of the groups compared are radically different. The category of learning disabilities, presumed by many to be the most…

In order to determine if identification and affinity for a storybook hero are functions of physical status, 127 children (ages 4 to 7 years) in two groups (one disabled) were randomly assigned to one of two storybook treatments telling of two boys' friendship. (Author/PHR)

Microcomputers can serve as expressive communication tools for severely physically disabled persons. Features such as single input devices, direct selection aids, and speech synthesis capabilities can be extremely useful. The trend toward portable battery-operated computers will make the technology even more accessible. (CL)

Reported were scores on the Cattell Infant Intelligence Scale, the Stanford Binet Intelligence Scale (Form L-M), the Quick Screening Scale of Mental Development, and the Vineland Social Maturity Scale achieved by 102 retarded, cerebral palsied infants who were in a hospital rehabilitation program. (GW)

Studied were the effects of reversing the color of white and black figure and ground drawings on Goodenough-Harris Drawing Test performance of 21 cerebral palsied and 21 normal children (all 5 to 18 years old). (Author/SBH)

Interviews with 11 high school-aged students with physical disabilities found participants felt driving would add freedom, independence, and responsibility to their lives and increase their educational, employment, and recreational choices. Most preferred to be included in high school driver's education, however, enrollment was either delayed or…