Literacy improves lives--and with the right instruction and supports, "all students" can learn to read and write. That is the core belief behind this teacher-friendly handbook, your practical guide to providing comprehensive, high-quality literacy instruction to students with significant disabilities. Drawing on decades of classroom…

This study examines the difficulties encountered by parents caring for pre-adolescent children who have severe multiple health problems. Working within the frameworks of narrative psychotherapy (Spence, 1982; Viederman & Perry, 1980; Vitz, 1992; Benjamin, 1998), the researcher examined parents' discourses and identified the strategies they…

In order to experience positive growth and fulfillment, parents of severely handicapped children need to move toward self-growth and acceptance of the child, facilitate productive consultation with professionals, and coordinate communication between agencies and services. (CL)

The paper offers guidelines for estate planning, defined as the art of arranging one's affairs to best care for loved ones while, at the same time, minimizing transfer costs. An understanding of the basics of estate planning is essential if one is to provide for the future of a severely handicapped child. Definitions are given for federal estate…

A respite care program in New Jersey provides 50 families of mentally alert severely disabled adults with periodic relief. The program, which featured recreational and social activities, promotes the mental health of parents and families. (CL)

The author describes the difficulties her family of 12 has faced with finding the best programs for their multiply handicapped, severely physically disabled preschoolers. (CL)

The guide presents a non-technical approach to adapting battery-operated and electrical devices for persons with severe handicapping conditions. The material was developed through Project REACH (Reconstructive Equipment Adaptations for Children with Handicaps). Chapter 1 presents rationales for the use of adapted switches and devices, including…

Public Law 94-142, the Education for All Handicapped Children Act, directs that school districts establish free appropriate educational programs for all handicapped children. What severely handicapped children can learn, and what they can teach, is discussed. (MT)

To identify age-appropriate recreation and leisure activities for students with severe handicaps, 142 nondisabled seventh graders were surveyed. The survey identified favorite independent activities, activities with friends, activities with family, school activities, home activities, community activities, magazines, music groups, card and board…

A counselor describes feelings and attitudes of two young adults who see their marital problems as having begun with the birth of their severely disabled child. Counseling led to improved communication, better coping, and shared planning for the future. (DB)

The article offers guidelines for involving children and adults with severe disabilities in motor activities and sports. Stressed are participation as fun, age appropriateness, functionality of new skills, and the value of partial participation. (DB)

Parents are provided with directions for making inexpensive mini-communication boards for children with expressive communication problems, and suggestions are provided for training the child in board use. Small pictures or objects selected to reflect the child's vocabulary needs are mounted on a simple board, allowing the child to express his…

The second of three manuals on attendant care for disabled persons is intended for parents of severely handicapped youth. An initial message reviews typcial reactions of parents to their child's quest for independence while subsequent sections address the basic principles of independent living and parents' responsibility for structuring learning…

The article defines "supported employment" for severely disabled persons and describes a Maryland parent training program which focused on understanding the range of employment options, the components of the supported work model, and actions to promote supported employment options. A hypothetical case study examined by parents in the course is…

The process of toilet training a boy with Rubinstein-Taybi Syndrome is addressed. Emphasized are the joint effort of the teacher and parents, the frustration at the seeming lack of progress, the use of rewards and "positive practices," and the ultimate success of the boy's toilet training program. (JDD)