Attempts to identify deficits in object knowledge specific to the autistic syndrome. Examines the correspondence between sensorimotor and play behaviors and language in mentally retarded and normal children. Determines whether these correspondences are different for autistic, mentally retarded, and normal children.(Author/AS)

A sequential-developmental approach to the assessment of individuals from the earliest sensorimotor period through the level of abstract reasoning is discussed. The assessment is hierarchically sequenced and is concerned with how and why individuals process information. The assessment procedures provide practical data on levels of development. (JN)

Educators are finding that children who excel early in physical activities also exhibit early academic potential. The Glassboro, New Jersey, Park and Recreation Department sponsors a program featuring teacher-directed group movement activities for children from three to six years old. Activities include warm-up movements, dances, and basic…

An attempt was made to enhance large muscle control and balance in congenitally blind children (ages 5-to-10 years) by exposing them to a program of creative dance movement. (Author/PHR)

Observation of severely to profoundly deaf four- to nine-year-olds (N=24) producing three types of multi-morphemic classifier predicates in American Sign Language showed that handshape production was influenced both by morphological and syntactic complexity, while handshape errors were not based on anatomical complexity alone. (26 references)…

The study compared the effectiveness of sensory integrative therapy with a parallel physical education program or a no-treatment condition with 55 5- to 10-year-old learning or perceptually motor disabled children. Results indicated no significant differences among groups except that reading progress of children already able to read was improved…

A methodology for teaching students how to use a combination lock was successfully used with 7 students (ages 11-13) with moderate mental disabilities. Discussed are entry level skills, long- and short-term objectives, picture prompts, modeling and guided practice activities, assistance, feedback, and generalization. A detailed task analysis is…

A quantifiable regimen of supplemental rotary vestibular stimulation was administered in a cross-over longitudinal design to 11 nonhandicapped and 10 Down's syndrome infants. Results indicated that supplementary rotary vestibular stimulation produced no measurable gain in motor ability. Greater gains were exhibited in the early phase of the study,…