The University of Hawaii Department of Special Education conducted the Preschool Preparation and Transition Project, a federally funded demonstration program, to support families and their children with special needs in the transition from infant programs to least restrictive preschool placements. The program addressed this goal through three…

An analysis of evidence from several reviews of research on the benefits of involving parents in early intervention programs shows no convincing evidence that involvement of parents in previous early intervention research studies results in more effective outcomes. Suggestions are made for future research and practice. (SLD)

A national survey of teachers serving students with serious emotional disturbances, with 191 respondents, sought to identify the nature of education programs for such students. Program types cited most frequently were mainstreaming and use of an environmental classroom structure. School demographics and teacher characteristics were also examined.…

Evaluation of 170 boys, aged 6 to 11 years, who were referred for serious emotional disturbance (SED) indicated they were typically characterized by limited mental health and educational intervention, noteworthy family stressors, and externalizing psychiatric disorders, especially attention deficit disorder. Findings support revision of Public Law…

Parents (n=79) of children with autism and related disabilities were surveyed about their children's challenging behaviors and what resources were needed to manage these behaviors. A high frequency of such behaviors was reported. Contingency management was the most effective management approach. Results are discussed in terms of families' needs,…

Talent beyond Words instructed elementary inner-city children in the performing arts, especially dance and percussion music, to provide opportunities for dynamic assessment of talent. Students identified as having talent participated in after-school curricula, thereby increasing their proficiency and self-esteem. (Author/JDD)

Oral paraphrase is presented as an informal and versatile strategy for assessing and enhancing listening comprehension in mainstreamed students with language/learning disabilities. Approaches to assessing the listening comprehension demands of individual classrooms and using various dimensions of paraphrasing to enhance language comprehension and…

Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires that, in most cases, nursery schools, center-based child care facilities, and home care providers be accessible to children with disabilities. Collaborative teams of child care and early intervention providers are suggested as an essential part of the early childhood education and…

Examined the effects of number of hours of early intervention services received by 72 disabled children on benefits received by children and their families. Found that hours of services received were not related to gains in child development levels. Suggests that increased services are not cost effective despite some benefits for mothers. (BCY)

Advocates research on the effectiveness of early intervention programs for disabled children based on scientific method, rather than advocacy of positions. Reviews effective intervention practices. Illustrates use of the biosocial systems research model, examining biological traits in the context of social systems. Discusses benefits of this…

Assessment of 486 first-quarter first graders identified 99 children as being at risk for reading difficulties, half of whom then received a phonological processing intervention. Results support the early identification of children at risk for reading difficulties and the effectiveness of the phonological processing intervention. (DB)

Examines how children's literature addresses the problems of bullying and victimization among pre- and early-adolescents. Books are reviewed and analyzed relative to the coping and problem-resolution strategies they portray. Individual and group techniques and strategies are suggested as means of incorporating children's literature into counseling…

Describes an intervention in which an elementary principal taught math to a group of four underachieving third-grade students in the classroom. Discusses the principal's influence on the entire class, as well as on the low achievers. The target students' achievement improved negligibly, but their behavior and work habits improved noticeably, and…

This meta-analytical review of seven studies examined the effectiveness of two intervention approaches--(1) behavior training strategies and (2) cognitive process strategies--to teaching social skills to learners with moderate to severe mental retardation. Although both approaches were effective, the cognitive process appeared more effective in…

Describes trade-union based psychosocial counseling program which has been used with the unemployed in Germany. Gives rationale for psychosocial counseling approach in this situation. Outlines tasks and characteristics, major problem areas and problem-solving strategies, crisis intervention, referral to other services, group seminars, and support…