This article offers teaching strategies in the dynamic assessment of the potential of students with autism to acquire and use multiple graphic symbol combinations for communicative purposes. Examples are given of the matrix strategy and milieu language teaching strategies. It also describes the Individualized Communication-Care Protocol, which…

A national survey to determine current lanaguage methods and instructional philosophies indicated that many educators of hearing-impaired children combine various language approaches rather than adhering closely to any one method. Opinions as to the type of symbol system to use and when and how to use them varied greatly. (Author/CL)

The language of special education professionals is discussed as both a language game and a professional discourse and is analyzed at the level of semiotics. The semiotics of special education is broken down into the use of generative metaphors, keywords, and signs of difference. (Author/JDD)

An historical perspective reveals that sophisticated mathematical activity has been going on in the Latino culture for thousands of years. This paper provides a general definition of the area of mathematics education that deals with issues of culture and mathematics (ethnomathematics) and defines what is meant by the term Latino in this essay.…

The paper describes the development of a computerized symbol processing system which allows nonspeaking severely handicapped persons to create communication electronically. Two pilot studies investigated the use of Rebus and Bliss Symbols with either an Apple Graphics Tablet or the Power Pad, a peripheral which allowed users to activate the…

This manual is intended to accompany a videotape entitled "Tangible Symbol Systems." The manual summarizes techniques shown in the videotape, gives additional background and technical information, and supplies recordkeeping forms. It is aimed at teachers, parents, and others who work with individuals who have severe/multiple sensory…

This study focuses on the political processes involved in the preparation and passage in 1973 of a school finance reform package in Illinois. The author places particular emphasis on how language was used to promote support for the legislation, how partisan politics affected voting patterns in the legislature on this issue, and how legislators…

This paper presents findings of a study that determined whether the educational benefits received by four African-American communities in Louisiana were a product of political interaction. The following theoretical frameworks were used: Floyd Hunter's (1953) method for identifying "community influentials," Robert Dahl's (1963) method for…

A survey of 429 schools serving children classified as ESN(S)--educationally subnormal (severe)--or otherwise handicapped was conducted to find out which sign and symbol systems were used for nonvocal children. (SBH)

This study evaluated ease of learning 5 visual symbol sets (photopictorial, rebus, Blissymbolics, orthography, and Premack-type tokens) with 4 autistic students (ages 7-13). A second article describes the development of instructional procedures for the students, noting the contribution of behavioral, cognitive developmental, and information…

This book presents different ways of viewing the teacher supervision process, based on a study of supervisors and teachers in a graduate program for beginning teachers sponsored by a college of education in the northwestern United States. Data were obtained through interviews, observation, and conversation analysis. Chapter 1 examines beliefs…

The word-learning ability of 12 school-age subjects with moderate or severe mental retardation was assessed. Subjects used the System for Augmenting Language with visual-graphic symbols for communication. Ability to fast map novel symbols was found to relate to symbol achievement status. Implications for vocabulary acquisition by youth with mental…

This research analyzes language development in the classroom as fostering the development of students who are community builders, problem solvers and critical thinkers. Examples of both positive and negative classroom situations are used to illustrate these three language domains. Successful classrooms are safe communities where children are…

Teachers (N=39), administrators (N=9), and a speech therapist working with deaf students rated 240 competencies for teaching English as a symbol system. The top 38 competencies involved practical teaching skills and techniques. Competencies related to the oral-aural method, theory, and background information about deafness were not given high…

Intended to help elementary and secondary students develop a global perspective, this manual contains ready-to-use lessons and activities dealing with the concept of communication. The materials can be used in individual courses in the social studies, language arts, and science, or in interdisciplinary courses. The activities in part 1 deal with…