The study found that a pragmatic teaching strategy based on milieu teaching and time-delay procedures was effective in teaching four nonspeaking, developmentally delayed children (ages five and six) using manual communication boards to initiate requests for information (i.e., who, what, and where) (DB)

This literature review addresses how the mental health professions view and use communication behaviors in their own diagnostic framework, focusing on cooccurrence of communication and psychiatric disorders, and psychiatrists' consideration of communication disorders as only one of a number of neurobehavioral systems. (JDD)

The prevalence of communication disorders in a population of 242 children with learning disabilities between 8 and 12 years of age was determined. A speech, language, or hearing problem was exhibited by 96.2 percent of the children. Only six percent of the children were considered to be receiving appropriate services. (Author/DB)

The case study involves a developmentally apraxic eight-year-old girl using a multimodal communication system. The Partners in Augmentative Communication Training program was implemented. Results after two months suggested some improvement in communication interaction skills. Issues regarding developmental apraxia and the use of augmentative and…

Describes a series of workshops for family and friends of institutionalized elderly persons designed to inform them of the nature of communication, how it is affected by the aging process, the psychological and neurological nature of communication impairments, and how to manage situations in which communication breaks down. (Author)

Appropriate identification/assessment of limited English speaking students requires: (1) the use of both standardized and nonstandardized assessment instruments and techniques, and (2) the use of speech-language pathologists or interpreters who are proficient in the students' native language. (JDD)

Communication guidelines are offered to enhance the effectiveness of conferences between speech-language pathologists and parents of Asian minority children with communication disorders. Identified are relevant aspects of Asian culture, cultural factors which influence Asian parents' reactions to disabilities, and interpersonal styles of Asians.…

The Regular Education Initiative is analyzed from a speech-language pathology perspective. The problem and controversy are explained, current research in several states on appropriate models is briefly described, and speech-language pathologists are encouraged to become involved. (DB)

A study of the supply and demand for doctoral graduates in all areas of special education compared the number of recent graduates with position announcements appearing in a major professional publication. Results suggest demand may soon exceed supply. In one area, communication disorders, supply has consistently exceeded demand. (MSE)

The review of the literature on aided communication illustrates the differences between "aided" and "normal" communication and outlines an intervention strategy which aims to modify the behavior of both interactive partners. (DB)

This paper argues that inferential statistical analyses as part of group research designs do not provide the kinds of data that are useful in determining the efficacy of clinical intervention with individuals having communication disorders. Replication studies are seen as providing a more fruitful approach to ascertaining the efficacy of clinical…

The controversy regarding the use of facilitated communication with individuals having developmental disabilities is addressed, and an oversight procedure for the use of this methodology is recommended, which includes informed consent from all involved, the inclusion of a validation protocol, and the inclusion of other potential means of…

This study found that the scores of younger normal subjects (n=60) on tasks involving the sequential recall of words from five categories were equal to scores of older children (n=34) with language and speech impairments. Word category scores predicted language and speech scores, but prediction was stronger in children having impaired language or…

This article describes a current pilot program of the Albuquerque (New Mexico) schools for twice exceptional students (i.e., gifted students with learning disabilities, behavior disorders, and/or communication disorders) in grades 9 through 12. Three program components will be implemented over the next three years: (1) transition plan, (2)…

This article discusses the construction of tasks used to elicit vocal responses from preschool children with and without communication disorders. Procedures to elicit valid and reliable responses are proposed, and a sample assessment protocol is presented. (Author/DB)