Interactions of two Down Syndrome child-mother dyads were observed during which the level of maternal responding was experimentally decreased. As the percent of maternal utterances decreased, the percent of child revision behaviors increased significantly. As mothers returned to initial levels of responding, the four-year-olds decreased their rate…

The use of visual biofeedback in the treatment of individuals who have residual phonological errors is discussed. Biofeedback is conceptualized as a cognitive treatment that requires the client's analysis of visual information and then use of that information in developing correct productions of residual phonological errors. Results suggest the…

This paper examines contributions of a functional curriculum approach to achievement of functional communication by students with moderate/severe disabilities. It proposes that best practice needs to focus more specifically on the quality of social interactions with students throughout the day, by emphasizing the role of communication partners in…

Investigates the consequences of a contemporary natural experiment forced upon a lawyer who suffered a massive stroke and severe aphasia, losing almost completely the ability to speak meaningful language. With the help of therapists, he learned to speak three words. The author investigates how such coconstruction is accomplished. (41 references)…

Administrators (n=235) of programs for children with communication disorders in 11 midwestern states were surveyed to assess trends in the training and utilization of paraprofessionals. Topics included current trends in employment; paraprofessional training; use of professional and state guidelines; and district policies for supervision.…

This case study of a toddler with autism whose parents had videotaped her development from birth showed that the child's behavior and development were essentially normal for the first year but that she then became withdrawn in only a few months. It is suggested that early communicative screening tests might have identified the child's earliest…

This review of the literature on narrative discourse in children with language disorders describes theoretical perspectives on narrative use; surveys researchers' rationales for the investigation of narrative ability, including the pragmatic nature of narrative use and narrative ability as an index of language development; discusses methodological…

Teacher rankings were collected from 16 elementary teachers for 28 students with communication disorders and 28 nondisabled students who had the same achievement/ability indices. Results indicated that teachers trained in a collaborative model of service delivery were more accurate in their perceptions of ability levels for students with…

This paper discusses issues and research questions about facilitated communication that emerge from examining separately its components of physical touch and the written word. It describes the experiences of two adolescents (diagnosed as autistic and severely retarded) with facilitated communication, the role of touch as a teaching method, and the…

A survey mailed to 200 speech-language pathologists (SLPs) examined their involvement in communication development in children with visual impairments or deafblindness. Analysis of responses (N=49) found striking differences in the preparation and competence of SLPs regarding various types of sensory impairment. Recommendations for changes in…

This article applies principles of multiculturalism to the provision of speech-language services to children from low income backgrounds - i.e., the culture of poverty. It discusses common characteristics of children from the culture of poverty and urges research that has practical, clinical implications to assist speech-language pathologists who…

Suggests a comprehensive approach to evaluation of allegations of sexual abuse by nonverbal autistic people via facilitated communication. Urges specialized psychometric testing, use of an alternative to "message passing" in facilitated communication, and systematic analysis of the allegations. (DB)

Qualitative and quantitative analysis of interviews with parents of children with cochlear implants found that, although implants have the potential to improve deaf children's relationships with hearing peers, these children still face communication obstacles which impede their social relationships. Results are discussed from the viewpoints of…

Analyzed 92 reports from the English Office for Standards in Education (OFSTED) to identify characteristics of educational provisions for children with language and communication difficulties and to explore inclusive education for these children. Also visited three schools to interview staff about OFSTED report features that contribute to good…

A phonological investigation of four siblings with autism found persistence of several phonological processes such as labilization, cluster reduction, or final consonant deletion beyond the expected age, evidence of unusual sound changes such as extensive segment coalescence, frication of liquids, and velarization, chronological mismatch, and…