Introduces special journal issue devoted to social and cultural diversity among adults aged 85 years old and older. Notes that four articles come from San Francisco 85+ Study and briefly describes the study itself as longitudinal study of community-dwelling older adults. Discusses revisions in four assumptions in the study of the oldest-old.…

Analyzed data from San Francisco 85+ Study to examine gender differences in stressors faced in later life by 150 white men and women. Majority of subjects were women, high proportion of whom were unmarried, living alone, functionally impaired, and had reduced financial resources. Men had fewer decrements, were more independent, and exercised more…

Notes that assertion of autonomy helps predict teenager's attitude toward pregnancy and parenthood and that ability to predict future relationship with infant has direct implications for achievement of adaptive outcome. Contends that interpersonal outcome of parent-infant relationship may be predicted by adolescent's behaviors with infant. The…

Female college students (n=86) completed measures on their perception of both parents' authority style (authoritarian, authoritative, permissive) and their own tendency toward decisional procrastination. Households where daughters perceived both parents as high authoritarian were significantly more likely to raise daughters with strong indecision…

Delineates model of supervision for consultation training. Describes trainee characteristics and supervision needs across three levels of development, culminating in integrated level with developed skills across eight domains of consultation activity. Tracks development other-awareness, motivation, and autonomy. Presents suggestions for…

A study evaluated the utility of a five-minute stimulus preference assessment for 20 individuals with developmental disabilities. The brief assessment identified stimuli that functioned as reinforcers for a simple operant response and identified preferred stimuli that were differentially effective as reinforcers. This assessment was associated…

Argues that for children to develop autonomy they must be socialized into the values of the adult community but then exposed to those of other communities. Proposes that school choice plays a role in the first, but that other actions must be taken to ensure the second. (DSK)

Studies on resilient youth have yielded some intriguing patterns. This article surveys the findings and discusses how professionals can benefit from lessons offered by the findings. (Author/MKA)

Discusses the need for theory in the field of distance education, reviews several traditional theoretical approaches, and describes a new theory called Equivalency Theory that incorporates telecommunications. Compares theories of independence and autonomy, industrialization of teaching, and interaction and communication. (LRW)

Traces the history of civil rights, disability rights, and self advocacy of people with developmental disabilities and autism. The need for future self-determination efforts to develop effective leadership from the ranks of self-advocates and for the accentuation of the positives of having a disability is discussed. (Author/CR)

Chronicles the development of a troubled child who was removed at the age of 8 from his parents. In time, after a long history of serious problems, he was able to achieve success. This account suggests that continuity of support and the passage of time can enable many youth with serious challenges to develop resilience and responsible…

Describes a method of modifying a spelling curriculum to meet the academic needs of gifted learners. Word Class combines a self-selected approach to spelling instruction with thinking skills and enables gifted learners to make choices about their learning as they engage in creative, high-level thinking. (Author/CR)

Discusses the connection between creativity in the arts and competitions, and shares a sampling of competitions that might entice secondary students to maximize their creative abilities. The benefits of competitions are described; they include the opportunity for students to enhance self-directed learning skills and their sense of autonomy. (CR)

A study evaluated an off-site/on-site program for reducing job coach assistance provided for three adults with severe multiple disabilities in a part-time community job. On-the-job assistance was reduced, while the individuals received more traditional day services when not at work. No adverse effects on productivity were observed. (Contains…

In this study, a prototype web browser, called Web Trek, that utilizes multimedia to provide access for individuals with cognitive disabilities was developed and pilot-tested with 12 adults with mental retardation. The Web Trek browser provided greater independence in accessing the Internet compared to Internet Explorer. (Contains references.)…