This paper describes work being conducted at the Douglass Developmental Disabilities Center of Rutgers University, focusing on the center's research findings which support the value of group-focused, language-based, integrated programing for preschool children with autism. (Author/JDD)

Results are reported from the field survey of the Council for Exceptional Children's Division for Early Childhood (DEC) Recommended Practices Project as one part of a national effort to develop evidence-based practices. Respondents (n=388) supported all the identified practices as recommended practice. Respondents also supplied information about…

Review of scientifically based reading research as it applies to students with hearing impairments stresses the importance of (1) early intervention, (2) active learning opportunities, (3) teaching strategies for reading fluency, and (4) applying teacher interventions such as miscue analysis. The importance of identifying and implementing…

This response to Rule et al. (EC 620 843) concerning translating research on naturalistic instruction into early-intervention practice with young children with disabilities raises concerns about treatment fidelity in such research studies, and notes the existence of pioneering models for studying treatment fidelity. (DB)

This response to Rule et al. (EC 620 843) concerning translating research on naturalistic instruction into early intervention practice with young children with disabilities questions whether the main features of naturalistic instruction are often fully implemented, and suggests that following the suggested guidelines might lead to actually…

Examines issues, especially definitional issues, in the practical application of effective naturalistic instructional (NI) practices in the instruction of young children with disabilities and their families. Suggests guidelines for describing independent and dependent variables in the procedural and contextual features of research into NI. (DB)

Designed for early years' teachers and trainee teachers, this volume adopts a holistic approach and focuses on the child with special educational needs as an active learner, rather than on how to cope with a disability. It emphasizes that young children with special needs can be very active learners when provided with environments that encourage…