We describe historical foundations of professional development (PD) in early childhood intervention (ECI) and where we stand on the silver anniversary of PL 99-457. To advance its scientific basis, we assert that it is important to define what is meant by PD; identify structural and process features of PD hypothesized to be effective for…

Now at middle age, the field of Early Childhood Intervention (ECI) and its professionals have demonstrated a unique capacity to develop their own practice-based evidence (PBE) and professional standards to forge solutions to challenging professional practice dilemmas. This innovative capacity is no more evident than in designing and implementing…

Comments on an article by Dunst and Bruder. Service coordination was supposed to be one of the major jewels in the legislative crown for young children with disabilities and their families. The authors have cast their experienced eyes on the heart of the matter, which is the models of service coordination that sprang to life almost immediately…

The materials included in this document are intended to articulate the intent of the framers of the Education for the Handicapped Act Amendments of 1986, Public Law 99-457. The first paper, "A Window of Opportunity," is the text of a speech by Robert Silverstein, Staff Director and Chief Counsel of the Subcommittee on the Handicapped of…

Public Law 99-457 mandates collaboration among agencies serving special needs preschoolers. A statewide survey investigated interagency collaboration, studied factors related to successful collaboration, identified factors that inhibit collaboration, and determined training needs of early childhood service providers. (BC)

Suggests that Public Law 99-457 raises questions about the play of children with special needs. Discusses topics which include (1) the developmental nature of play; (2) play of special needs children; (3) strategies for teaching play skills, and (4) implications of research for teachers' practice. A direct approach to teaching children about…

This report analyzes, via site visitations and telephone interviews, a sample of 23 well-established training programs which serve young hearing-impaired children, for compliance with Public Law 99-457. The programs represent 16 states and the District of Columbia, with several of the programs being recommended for the study by federal government…

Legislation requires that early intervention services be delivered to young special needs children within the family context. To help rural professionals develop effective partnerships with American Indian families, common family cultural characteristics are outlined: extended family, permissive discipline, respect for children, group orientation,…

This study investigated viewpoints of 290 parents and 267 professionals concerning early intervention services for infants and young children with disabilities in the light of requirements of Public Law 99-457. Major concerns of both groups related to accessing services, developing Individualized Family Service Plans, and coordinating services.…

Recent initiatives such as PL99-457 and Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA) require school psychologists to broaden their knowledge base in areas critical to problematic development in early childhood. This mini-series is designed to assist school psychologists in provisions of collaboration with other health professionals to enhance efficacy…

The monograph presents essential components of a decision making sequence used to incorporate formalized family assessment and service planning procedures into two existing early intervention programs in Massachusetts. The 1-year effort used a consultant to: (1) redefine screening and assessment processes to include both child and family centered…

The fact sheet uses a question-and-answer format to describe key components of Public Law 99-457 (Amendments to the Education of the Handicapped Act), which authorizes a preschool program for children ages 3-5 and an early intervention program for handicapped infants and toddlers. In the area of preschool programs, topics covered include…

The passage of Public Law 99-457 has both quantitative and qualitative implications for assessment. Educators working with infants and young children must become more familiar with assessment strategies and limitations including psychometrically sound assessment of complex and controversial family variables, and health and environmental risk…

This paper discusses the basic content of Titles I and II of Public Law 99-457: the Amendments to the Education of the Handicapped Act, and their implications for providing early intervention services to rural populations. "Title I: Services to Infants and Toddlers" discusses provisions of the law, its rationale, definitions of terms…

Findings are presented from a project which aimed to estimate the prevalence of developmental disabilities among Navajo children, aged 0-5 years, living in the Navajo Nation; determine what services they and their families require; and recommend policy and practice to assure that needed services are received. Section I provides a description of…