A New York University study compared effects of the Direct Student Loan and Federal Family Education Loan programs on students, families, and campus administrators and of the programs' best practices. Some administrative challenges with dual program participation were found. Reactions to the programs were largely similar and positive, but…

The study identified the similarities and differences among the self-reported perceptions of 312 parents and professionals regarding roles, criteria, and authority used for making decisions on the provision of occupational, physical, and speech/language therapy as related services for students with severe disabilities. (JDD)

Parental access to community-based assistance was investigated in 70 households with relation to occupational status and age of their intellectually disabled child/teenager. Lower-occupational-status parents were less likely to have received help with "information," while parents of children aged three-five were most likely to have…

A group service delivery model was utilized to treat nine severely speech-impaired preschool children. The program's efficiency and favorable dismissal rate were felt to be due to the specialized service time received by the children, the targeting of phonological patterns (rather than individual phonemes), group interactions, and a home program.…

Young children with HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) of perinatal origin often present with increasing medical and developmental problems after the first half year of life. Most eventually require foster care; some are integrated in intervention or preschool services; others are in segregated educational programs. Family supports and specialized…

The position paper, guidelines, and definitions of the American Speech-Language and Hearing Association deal with service delivery for the mentally retarded in community settings, deinstitutionalization, audiologic screening for newborns, bilingual speech-language professionals, curriculum guides for speech-language professionals, supervisory…

The keynote speech notes: changes effected by Public Law 94-142, The Education for All Handicapped Children Act; needs for the next decade; and implications for the field of learning disabilities. A framework for change is proposed with four parameters: outcome effectiveness, services in the schools, individual decisions, and balanced progress.…

The article describes educational needs and services of visually impaired children in Latin America noting especially the lack of services for children under the age of seven. It proposes early identification, provision of basic services within the child's home and local environment, and training in basic teaching techniques for anyone willing to…

A survey of state agencies found that early intervention services to visually impaired children, aged birth-two and three-five years, were permissive or mandated in the 29 respondents' states or territories. All respondents used definitions of visual impairment similar to the federal definition, and all required a medical diagnosis. (JDD)

A model program for severely emotionally disturbed hearing-impaired adolescents evolved in Santa Cruz County (California). A private day school program integrated its activities with a group home; Individualized Education Programs were designed jointly with residential treatment plans; and residential and school staff maintained a behavioral…

A 1991 survey of 51 U.S. and Canadian dental schools and a 1993 survey of 43 schools investigated perceptions of the best ways to manage dental students' clinical experiences. Most schools used a comprehensive care system, suggesting a strong trend in this direction. (MSE)

Explores options for human service delivery and related organizational change in rural areas. Addresses the unique context and distinctive features of rural service delivery, urban service professionalism and fragmentation, and potential advantages of traditional integrated rural systems. Discusses eight models derived from combinations of three…

Approaches to early intervention services for rural families with young children with disabilities are considered, including service delivery models and strategies for interagency collaboration. Proposals concern increasing access to services in rural areas, personnel training and utilization, and developing an infrastructure through regional and…

Proposes a model for online hypermedia courseware that presents information in a controlled and predefined structure. Measures and evaluates the model's impact on design time and student study time. Finds positive improvements in delivery and dissemination of technical subject matters and provides a better understanding of required development…

Discusses guidelines for providing quality direct services to Head Start families. Suggests that nonjudgmental attitudes, empathy, instruction, reinforcement, shaping, removal of barriers, contracting referral, advocacy, and other helping skills permit effective direct services. Proposes FNA (family needs assessment) as a valuable tool with which…