Describes a plan to split a problematic second-grade gifted class into two parts, fill the remaining seats with mainstream ESL children, and collaborate in teaching the classes. From the start, the children mingled socially and academically; student teachers could not tell which were from the initial gifted group. Heterogeneous grouping also paid…

Sixty-three New Zealand schools were surveyed concerning establishment of Support Teacher positions to assist children with special needs. Results are discussed in terms of drift from the support team model, differences between primary and secondary schools in model implementation, the importance of training, and the importance of an active…

Assessment of age, disability severity, developmental status, functional abilities, and behavioral characteristics of 162 children (ages 11 to 102 months) found that children enrolled in inclusive programs were more mildly disabled and functioned at higher levels than counterparts in programs exclusively for children with disabilities.…

The article discusses mainstreaming of students with HIV/AIDS into physical education classes, describing HIV/AIDS conditions and presenting facts about prevalence, concerns related to the preschool and school-aged population, risks associated with the gym, safety precautions, and issues of confidentiality. (SM)

The best way to manage discipline problems in preschoolers with autism is to prevent the problems from occurring in the first place. The article examines the diagnosis, incidence, and prevalence of autism, discusses how to facilitate desired behavior, and offers a case study of a preschool student with autism. (SM)

Describes the educational philosophy and practices of the Sunrise Children's Center in Amherst, New Hampshire, which serves all children, both disabled and nondisabled, from the ages of two to six years. The description of the program is highlighted with stories of children in the center. (BB)

The experience of one handicapped boy and his family at a Concord (New Hampshire) elementary school that practices inclusive education highlights obstacles the parents met with regard to placing their son at the local school, early successes, social and academic progress for the student, and changing attitudes. (JB)

This article proposes the professional integration of early childhood special education and early childhood education. Commonalities in the areas of policy, professional practice, and the importance of flexible child-centered and family-centered services are noted. Unification would improve service delivery, increase integration, and result in…

Recounts a college economics professor's attempts to explain macroeconomic concepts to a blind student. Considers how explanations of economics principles often rely on graphic presentations. Describes experimental tactile adaptation, using graphs made out of sandpaper, yarn, spaghetti, and other materials. Recommends developing prefabricated…

Seven poor readers (ages 11-12) were trained in reading comprehension strategies using reciprocal teaching procedures in resource rooms and were instructed to employ the strategies in their homeroom classes. The combination of reciprocal teaching and transenvironmental programing was effective in facilitating subjects' unprompted use of relevant…

Questionnaires completed by families and teachers of 1,009 students with severe disabilities were analyzed in terms of 4 conceptual models of integrated student placement: a programs/facilities model, a socioeconomic model, an advocacy model, and a combined model. Teacher advocacy and Individualized Education Program characteristics were most…

Handicapism, bias against the disabled, is a major barrier to the successful education and integration of children with disabilities. Educators need to devise strategies to deal with handicapism, beginning with disability awareness programs. A variety of instructional approaches is necessary to capitalize on students' strengths and learning…

A model of direct communication in American Sign Language is presented for application in mainstreamed adult education courses. Comparisons of 12 hearing and 11 deaf students enrolled in a mainstreamed word processing class using the suggested client-centered, individual instruction format with limited lecture time showed no significant…

The article reviews educational rehabilitation services for persons with disabilities in the former German Democratic Republic. The paper describes the education system, the health and welfare services, the nature and organization of special education services, integration, training of special educators, and effects of political changes in the…

This article describes Yugoslavia's education system, health and welfare services for children with disabilities, the nature and organization of special education services, the integration of disabled children in ordinary schools, models for training special educators, and problems. (DB)