Common values are identified in three theoretical models of early intervention practice (developmental, functional, and biological models), suggesting that professional practice can be guided by such convergent principles as the value of independent mastery of tasks, emphasis on adaptation, and the contingently responsive environment. Two…

This paper argues for the integration of traditional concepts of developmental domains to provide more unified early intervention programing for young children with disabilities and their families. Research is reviewed which supports an integrated approach to child development. (DB)

This review of 27 studies examining social skills interventions (such as modeling, role playing, goal setting, and verbal self-instruction) and their effects on students with behavior problems found a number of interventions to be successful. The interventions yielded changes in self, teacher, and parent perceptions, though peer perceptions were…

This paper describes the facilitated communication method of assisting individuals with autism to type their thoughts and presents a study involving 43 individuals (ages 3-26) who were trained in facilitated communication. A seemingly normal quality of language was produced but did not result in the eradication of other autistic-like behaviors.…

Mothers of children with developmental disabilities were reevaluated two years after participating in a life skills training program utilizing a cognitive behavior approach to reduce stress and depression and improve communication and problem-solving skills. Participants (n=153) reported lower stress, lower depression levels, and improved coping…

This paper on speech production in children and youth with hearing impairments focuses on ways to foster clear speech throughout the daily classroom routine and curriculum. It describes elements of the program at the Montreal Oral School for the Deaf in Quebec, Canada, such as early intervention, maximal use of hearing, and parent participation.…

Skills that families gain in coping with transitions at the early ages of their child with visual impairments provide skills necessary for all the life-stage transitions that follow and, thus, are termed marathon skills. The transition programing of the Lighthouse Child Development Center in New York City is designed to develop those skills. (JDD)

This paper describes components of the Teacher Support System, an approach to providing behavioral counseling support to teachers with students having severe problem behaviors. Personnel and procedural components are described, along with descriptive and outcome information from case studies of students who have received support from the system.…

Describes Turkey's preschool system and discusses the outcomes of (1) an investigation of the effects of social class and preschool center type on child and staff behaviors; and (2) a project to develop an intervention model for disadvantaged environments, while comparing the impact of educational preschools, custodial preschools, and home care on…

Describes Project TRAIN, which provides graduate-level preservice training at the University of Wisconsin for early intervention professionals interested in working in rural areas with special-needs infants and toddlers and their families. Discusses project rationale, objectives, professional competencies, coursework, performance-based evaluation,…

Project TAPE (Technical Assistance for Postsecondary Education) was a two-year federal demonstration grant to provide technical assistance to personnel serving learning-disabled students in Illinois. The program involved training of support personnel, development and implementation of Specific Intervention Strategy modules, and a system of state…

This article summarizes intervention activities and participant outcomes from a five-year federally funded project that prepared students with learning disabilities for transition to postsecondary education. Project participants demonstrated higher first-year postsecondary retention rates than the student population and gained skills in many…

A socially valid behavior-change intervention is broadly defined to be directed to a problem of verifiable importance, be accepted and used appropriately by target groups, and reduce substantially the probability of the problem's occurrence in target populations. The definition is applied to a family-based program to prevent human immunodeficiency…

This article reviews diagnostic criteria for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and undifferentiated attention deficit disorder; typical presenting features; theories of the biological basis of attentional disorders; and treatments, including medical treatments with stimulants and tricyclic antidepressants and nonmedical treatments such as…

This paper documents development of the field of auditory-verbal intervention to aid individuals with hearing impairments and outlines its advantages. The paper emphasizes the author's contributions to the field through development of detection and treatment services, early detection and early intervention services, research studies, and teacher…