Based on the "Showcase" presentation of the Division for Physical and Health Disabilities at the 1997 Convention of the Council for Exceptional Children. Addresses the different labels of individuals with disabilities and the history and future of educating children with physical and health disabilities. (CR)

This article outlines the development of a new California teacher credential in the area of physical and health impairments. The credential development process, identification of adopted standards, and the guiding principles used by the authors, who served as consultants to the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing, are described.…

This article describes the use of ecological assessments for medically fragile students to ensure transitions across service settings. A multi-step process involving the collaboration of multidisciplinary medical and educational teams to develop a Health Care Plan is described. The school health nurse is targeted as the liaison who facilitates…

This guide to Tourette Syndrome addresses prevalence and etiology, associated behaviors (such as obsessive-compulsive disorder and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder), treatment approaches and medication, and classroom management techniques (such as handling tic release/stress and managing hyperactivity/controlling attentional impulses). (DB)

This article discusses how special education teachers can serve as mentors to parents of children with physical and health disabilities. The benefits of mentoring to both the parent and the mentor are described. The stages that the relationship may go through and potential barriers are also addressed. (Author/CR)

A study of 147 school districts in Georgia examined the extent to which special health care procedures are performed in a school setting, the involvement of teachers performing special health care procedures, training and supervision issues, and the availability of written procedures. Results found teachers performed health care procedures more…

As more medically fragile and health-impaired students are included in the educational system, teachers are increasingly likely to confront the death of a student. This article identifies developmental levels of understanding death, factors which affect grieving, and symptoms of grief demonstrated by children and adults. Recommendations for…

Discusses the provision of services to students who are ventilator-dependent. It provides an overview of legislation governing the education of students with disabilities, the health-care needs of students who are ventilator-dependent, position statements of nursing boards, rulings in recent cases, and suggestions for cost containment. (Author/CR)

This article provides school personnel with considerations for facilitating the successful management of students who are technology-dependent in the classroom and school environment. Guidelines based on student needs, instructional strategies, staff training, and organization of the physical environment are provided. (Author/PB)

A study identified major concerns of 23 hospitalized children (grades PreK-9) and their parents, including the interruption of the child's pace of academic study, his/her health condition and fears of medical treatment and therapy, his/her loneliness in the ward, and time management problems. Recommendations for hospital schoolteachers are…

This article discusses the efforts of Virginia school divisions as they prepared for and received students with complex health care needs. Findings from four studies that interviewed early childhood special education teachers and occupational therapies are described. The need for team planning and the development of a Health Services Plan is…

Procedures developed by Gwinnett County (Georgia) Public Schools to evaluate and serve the increasing number of students with medically complex needs are outlined. A medical review panel convened to address health and safety issues and requests that the school provide unique or specialized health care procedures is described, as is the development…

Two issues of this journal on education and related services for students with physical disabilities contain the following major articles or reviews: "Environmental Effects on Education" (Harold F. Perla); "Using Touch Math for Students with Physical Impairments To Teach and Enhance Beginning Math Skills" (Adrienne L. Duris); "Traumatic Brain…