Background: Narrative assessment is sensitive to the communication impairments of children with specific language impairment and those with autistic spectrum disorders. Although both groups of children tend to show deficits in narrative, it is unclear whether these deficits are qualitatively different and how language and pragmatic ability may…

Most people agree that it is important for children to be able to express their likes, dislikes, needs, and ideas. It is also important for their parents, siblings, peers, teachers, and others to be able to understand them. Yet for children with language impairments, trying to communicate is not only frustrating but can be overwhelming. In…

The influence of disabilities on placement outcomes was examined for 277 children who were removed from their biological parents due to substantiated maltreatment. Results indicated that children with a disability were less likely to reunify and more likely to reside in non-kin foster care two years later than typical children. Children with…

This practicum aimed to provide nonverbal students with a communication program to increase expressive language for daily living skills. Target students were four children (ages 6 to 7) with cerebral palsy. The practicum involved introducing children to pleasurable activities that encouraged communication behaviors, showing the children…

Handicapped children's potential to represent thoughts and feelings through visual forms is often overlooked. Intended for educators, therapists, psychologists, and physicians, the book focuses on art procedures found useful in developing concepts of space, of sequential order, and of class or group of objects. It also provides art techniques for…

Because the communication skills of people with significant disabilities are often limited, ordinary choices often elude them. This guide provides step-by-step instructions to help care-providers recognize the choices made by people with severe disabilities, especially those natural cues which indicate an individual's preferences. It discusses…

This final report describes activities and outcomes of a research project on a sound-to-speech translation system utilizing a graphic mediation interface for students with severe disabilities. The STS/Graphics system is a voice recognition, computer-based system designed to allow individuals with mental retardation and/or severe physical…

This study evaluated the augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) assessment and prescriptive practices currently used in various states, through a survey of project directors in all 50 states receiving funding under the Technology Related Assistance for Individuals with Disabilities Act of 1994. The survey instrument assessed directors'…

This strategic research plan presents the state of knowledge and research needs and opportunities in the area of communication disorders. It is designed to guide the decision-making processes of the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD), to inform scientific investigators of possible areas of opportunity for…

This study examines otitis media as a possible factor associated with increased risk for communicative handicap in a group of children with a possible vulnerability for language delay: "late-talkers." Speech and language outcomes at ages 3 and 4 were examined in 28 late talkers and 24 children with normal language development. Late…

Intended for parents, teachers, speech-language pathologists, and others within the child's "communication environment," this booklet contains suggestions and illustrations for improving children's listening and speech skills. In addition, it presents basic information related to normal communication development, as well as information about…

"Partners in Augmentative Communication Training" (PACT) is a communication interaction facilitation program for child augmentative technique users and their communication partners. The program offers guidelines for use in developing individualized plans for improving conversational interaction. This resource guide addresses priority…

The document describes the Pediatric Language Laboratory, a day care center which provides day care and therapeutic services to 20 mild to moderate communicatively delayed children, 1 to 4 years old. Initial sections address program philosophy; program components (diagnostics, remedial services, typical services, parent education, and community…

Organized around eight topics, this document provides guidelines for Oregon school district health services programs for students in preschool/kindergarten through grade twelve. A list of principles related to health program development, a summary of related health legislation, and a checklist for assessing compliance with Oregon administration…

The study of self-concept in relation to deafness has both theoretical significance for the understanding of human development and practical implications for the treatment of deaf children. Five theoretical issues related to the study of deafness and self-concept have been suggested by the literature: (1) consequences for self-concept development…