This review of research examines investigations that have focused on the effect of reinforcer specificity on the acquisition of both language comprehension and production skills by learners with severe handicaps. Issues regarding the use of intervention strategies that employ reinforcer specificity are discussed. (Author/JW)

Two studies examined cross-modal transfer of sign language performance in 11 and 12 children (ages 6-17) with speech, language, or hearing disorders and mild to moderate retardation. Findings indicated that transfer from receptive to productive signing required explicit training, particularly of complex forms. (CL)

Receptive communication skills of 118 severely and profoundly deaf persons, (9-20 years old) were assessed by a multiple-choice pictorial test. The most efficient method of communication was found to be reading, followed by total communication and manual communication; oral methods were clearly the least effective. (Author/CL)

The article considers how three types of language skills (receptive, functional expressive, and descriptive expressive) can be integrated into typical gross and fine motor activities for language delayed preschoolers. (Author/CL)

Examined the degree of temporal stability of the PPVT-R for 56 Native-American, Mexican-American, and Anglo-American kindergarten children. In addition, stability was examined for home language groups. Results indicated that strong temporal stability existed over an eight-month period for all students. (JAC)

This guide to teaching speechreading skills to deaf elementary grade children offers an experiential, synthetic (rather than analytic) approach to acquisition of receptive spoken language through realistic and meaningful activities. Introductory material considers the importance of practice in speech reading, ways to individualize the activities…

Author discusses the ways in which communication in group therapy sessions is different from that of other social settings. (HB)

From a theoretical viewpoint, the results of the study support the importance of the receptive expressive distinction in considering behavior. The practical implications suggest the importance of assessing receptive functions more directly and support present large-scale remedial procedures for disadvantaged youth in terms of improving and…

Adaptations of simultaneous and successive processing and language tests were administered to 88 institutionalized moderately mentally retarded adolescents and adults. Results revealed a relationship between language and coding processing and demonstrated the involvement of serial processing in the comprehension of speech flow and language…

The fact that the autistic children were so impaired in language even with fairly good sensorimotor skills suggests that these skills, particularly object permanence, play a minor role in their language acquisition. (Author)