The paper argues that microcomputers can be useful in providing visual stimulation to young visually handicapped children. Monitors can present materials in a "back-lit" manner, and input devices such as the touch sensitive screen allow children to interact directly with the images on the screen. (Author/DB)

Four experiments studied effects of difficulty of word identification on optional conceptual processing by second, third, and fifth graders, and college students in a cued recall task. Results indicated that contrastive processing facilitates recall, and that difficulty of word identification may limit the extent of optional contrastive…

Discusses the creative techniques used in eight recently published picture books deemed "age appropriate" for three- to seven-year-olds. Urges preschool teachers to familiarize themselves with available books, and suggests a technique for incorporating literature into the curriculum. Offers a bibliography of story, science, alphabet, and "must…

Examines the visualization of poetry through television. Describes how the television series, "Voices and Visions," uses a popular form of communication to expand the audience for poetry. Views television documentaries as a means of generating enough interest among viewers to draw them to books of poetry. (KO)

Eleven preschool children with Down Syndrome were taught new words/graphic symbols (Rebus or modified Bliss) using various treatment conditions. Incorporation of graphic symbols into language intervention programs may facilitate language acquisition, provided the tasks and procedures are appropriate to the child's developmental age and level of…

Reviewed is the historical development of tactile aids to supplement speechreading by hearing-impaired individuals, from early use of bone conduction vibrators driven by hearing aids, to multichannel tactile aids representing the full speech spectrum and tactile speechreading aids complementing visual cues. Adequate training in use of tactile…

Three studies involving 16 college students explored cognitive processes reflected by reaction time (RT) and movement time (MT). The hypothesis that correlations of RT and MT with measures of intelligence are due to effects on a common stage of information processing cannot be rejected on the basis of study findings. (SLD)

Describes The Audio Interactive Tutor (TAIT), an interactive audio/oral computer-assisted study device. TAIT's output consists of explanations and examples along with commands and questions requiring responses from the user. It uses speech recognition to determine the responses made by the user and constructs an evolving model of what the user…

The use of visual biofeedback in the treatment of individuals who have residual phonological errors is discussed. Biofeedback is conceptualized as a cognitive treatment that requires the client's analysis of visual information and then use of that information in developing correct productions of residual phonological errors. Results suggest the…

Reviews studies in which perceptual cue trading data have been compared with computational models and examines the perception of contrast between the voiceless fricative "s" and the voiceless affricate "ts." Nine subjects listened to a total of 6 tokens each of 193 stimuli and labeled each stimulus as containing either of the…

Data are summarized from 152 single-subject analyses of the reinforcing functions of self-injurious behavior (SIB) in individuals with developmental disabilities. Overall results indicated that functional analysis methodologies are extremely effective in identifying the environmental determinants of SIB on an individual basis and, subsequently, in…

Examines the perceptual learning style preferences of sixth- and seventh-grade students in the Philippines. Finds that the visual modality was the most preferred and the auditory modality was the least preferred. Offers suggestions for accommodating visual, tactile, and kinesthetic preferences. (RS)

Investigated whether women undergoing outpatient chemotherapy for breast cancer can develop classically conditioned emotional distress. Patients' responses to a distinctive stimulus were assessed in a location not associated with chemotherapy administration. Results supported hypothesis that pairing a distinctive stimulus with chemotherapy would…

This study, involving a man having profound mental retardation and demonstrating severe self-injurious behavior, found that a Therapeutic Shock Device (TSD) worn by the client and remotely operated was more effective than a previously used handheld shock stick, and it did not cause tissue damage. The client did not appear to find the TSD aversive.…

This paper discusses guidelines for devising a hierarchy when fading response prompts in training individuals with developmental disabilities. Existing guidelines are seen as poorly defined, inconsistent, and lacking both theoretical and experimental support. An alternative theoretical account is proposed which suggests that prompts in a hierarchy…