Given are examples of pictorial riddles on environmental safety which have increased verbal information processing skills in educable mentally handicapped children ages 7- to 16 years. (CL)

The teaching of survival and protection words is an emphasized part of the curriculum for the 14- to 18-year-old, trainable mentally retarded adolescents at University Hospital School. (GW)

The article describes the community learning program Fairfax County, Virginia, provides moderately and severely handicapped students to prepare them for eventual home and work environments. Covered are program structure, preparation, traffic and public transportation instruction, safety instruction, grocery store instruction, restaurant…

This article explores potential risks faced by children with disabilities who are left at home alone. The importance of assessing children's needs and skills for safely staying home alone is stressed and suggestions offered for concepts to teach children, alternate methods of supervision, and other practical concerns. (PB)

Survival skills instruction for latchkey kids with special needs is discussed. Methods for cultivation of skills pertaining to physical well-being, accident prevention, emergency procedures, healthy lifestyles, and mental, social and emotional well-being are described. Sources of model programs and curriculum materials for self-care skills…

A 12-year-old boy with severe disabilities was taught street-crossing skills through the use of photographs with verbal rehearsal of appropriate street crossing, followed by community-based instruction. The skills were acquired, maintained at follow up, and generalized to new streets. (JDD)

This article describes the characteristics of before- and after-school child care programs and deliniates the features needed to accommodate children with special needs. Potential ways to adapt current programs to fill this need and suggestions for design of future programs are discussed. Characteristics of effective programs are reviewed. (PB)

A number of risks researchers have identified with latchkey children are described. The lack of effective advocacy on behalf of such children is discussed and special educators in general are seen as well-suited to the advocate's role resulting from their knowledge base, experience, and commitment to preventive programing. (PB)