Part of a special issue on the national network of University Affiliated Facilities, the article defines independent living (IL) and discusses the development and application for the IL concept. An IL model is presented that focuses on improving the community environment and offering assistive devices to persons with severe disabilities.…

Data from 43 states on policies and procedures for training direct-care staff in public and private residential programs for the mentally retarded or developmentally disabled were analyzed to evaluate state training standards, examine curriculum content and training priorities, identify program implementation problems, and identify outstanding…

This report describes the outcomes of a federally funded project that was designed to train master's degree students as early interventionists with skills and abilities to work with infants and toddlers with low incidence disabilities and their families. The low incidence disabilities that were the focus of the training were multisystem…

This paper describes Camp Ramah, a residential summer camp in Central Ontario that offers a one month program for adolescents with developmental disabilities. Up to 15 special needs campers, ages 12-25, participate with up to 400 campers and 150 staff in a residential camping experience. Most campers have mild to moderate mental retardation, some…

This paper addresses the need to create relationships and supports that offer people with substantial disabilities the assistance they require to increase effective control of their lives ("power sharing"). The paper is based on experience and research in North American and British services to people with intellectual disabilities, autism, and…

The construction and validation of the Early Language Milestone Scale for children at risk for developmental disability are described. It is concluded that delayed achievement of early language milestones strongly suggests the presence of a significant underlying developmental disability. Journal Availability: See EC 152 486. (Author/SEW)

The literature on health care for individuals with mental retardation is reviewed. Major topics include: specific needs of individuals with intellectual impairments, the role of parents in health care, the need for collaborative relationships between health care professionals and families of children with disabilities, and the need for specific…

Consumer satisfaction and social validity were measured during a double-blind, placebo-controlled evaluation of risperidone in treating aberrant behaviors of persons with developmental disabilities. A survey showed all 17 caregivers felt participation was positive. Community members (n=52) also indicated that when on medication, the 5 participants…

Studied parent, child, and marital attributes to explore factors that are most closely tied to levels of overall family functioning in households containing young developmentally disabled children. Surveyed 88 families using in-home interviews of parents. Found that level of family functioning had no relationship to specific child attributes but…

The efforts of one unit of the Association for Retarded Citizens to develop guidelines for service provision to individuals with developmental disabilities and human immunodeficiency virus (AIDS) are documented. A professional advisory committee was formed to make ethical recommendations that allow for provision of services in a "least…

Intermediate-grade African-American students with developmental handicaps participated in a project to enhance their self-perceptions related to their ethnicity. As a class, the students produced an ethnic feelings book that encompassed both factual information about African Americans and students' interpretations of their ancestors' feelings…

Developmental language disorders in preschool children are described. Levels of linguistic functioning are defined, and clinical language disorders are presented. Implications for the school psychologist are discussed, with an emphasis on assessment of verbal and non-verbal functions. (SLD)

Claims it is appropriate for the aging and developmental disabilities networks to explore the intersections of their operations with respect to their methods of administration, advocacy, service systems, development, and policies. Discusses roles of State and Area Agencies on Aging. (Author/ABL)

Five teachers serving 26 children (ages 3-15) with developmental disabilities received training on creating opportunities for requesting (missing item, interrupted chain, delayed assistance). The strategy was effective in helping teachers increase the number of functional communication requesting opportunities and the number of correct student…

This study reviewed 113 research articles involving 299 subjects and a corresponding sample of 299 adaptive skill programs implemented in state-funded residential facilities for adults with developmental disabilities. Statistical analysis revealed significant differences between researchers and clinicians in adaptive and maladaptive behavior…