Literature on the components of language and basic skills in speech acquisition is reviewed, and specific problems in communicatively disordered children, particularly hearing impaired and multihandicapped hearing impaired children, are investigated. Practical intervention strategies designed to promote intelligibility of spoken language and…

This bibliographic review aims to present a single comprehensive source of references to facilitate clinical application of data obtained on the vocal activity of normal infants and to facilitate continued research on prelinguistic vocal output. The bibliography cites the published observational, empirical, and theoretical reports that examine the…

The workshop paper examines the use of microcomputer packages to analyze spontaneous language samples of children with communication disorders. Advantages of computerized analysis are seen to include time saving, more efficient data management, and increased objectivity. To help consumers determine which programs to buy, four aspects are…

The report describes the development and accomplishments of the Early Start Preschool Program (Vineland, New Jersey), a project to overcome developmental delays in communication and learning through a structured curriculum, parent training and participation, and a model nutrition program. Six outcome objectives, including objectives of gain in…

Phonological skills of 20 mentally retarded preschool children were compared with those of 10 communication handicapped, nonretarded children and 10 normally speaking nonretarded children. Retarded and communication handicapped children used a significantly greater total number of phonological processes more frequently, but all groups used the…

Examines the effectiveness of a manually coded English (MCE) program used to facilitate language acquisition of prelingual deaf learners. The deaf students' performances on an English skills test were compared to their scores from three years prior. Results showed a steady improvement of scores of students instructed through MCE. (TR)

An African gray parrot, taught to employ the vocalization "want" before an object label so as to discriminate functional labeling from requesting, subsequently generalized "want" to novel situations. The findings of the study indicate that the training procedure might be applicable to intervention programs for humans with…

The current state of research into augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) systems is reviewed, and four dimensions of the study of communication handicap are described: structural, developmental, pragmatic (interaction), and technological. Recommendations regarding standardized research reporting procedures are offered in light of the…

The Interactive Diagnostic Model, intended to facilitate disability interaction between teacher and clinician on behalf of the young language handicapped child, is described. Four levels of interaction are discussed: identification, diagnosis, management, and follow-up. (JW)

The article suggests three strategies for the audiologist and speech/communication specialist to use in assisting the preschool teacher to implement student's individualized education program: (1) demonstration teaming, (2) dual teaming; and (3) rotation teaming. (CL)

Two studies examined cross-modal transfer of sign language performance in 11 and 12 children (ages 6-17) with speech, language, or hearing disorders and mild to moderate retardation. Findings indicated that transfer from receptive to productive signing required explicit training, particularly of complex forms. (CL)

Four specific perspectives on narrative structure are briefly reviewed, and a case study is used to illustrate how these perspectives can provide useful insights into the language behavior of a language-disordered child. (Author/SW)

The article offers options for delivery of services to nonspeaking public school students by speech-language pathologists. Suggestions are based on the mandates of P.L. 94-142 (the Education for All Handicapped Children Act) and the Code of Ethics of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. Stressed is the need for comprehensive…

A study evaluated and compared four methods of assessing reliability on one discourse analysis procedure--a modified version of Damico's Clinical Discourse Analysis. The methods were Pearson product-moment correlations; interobserver agreement; Cohen's kappa; and generalizability coefficients. The strengths and weaknesses of the methods are…

This study assessed a microswitch-based program in which three request and one choice microswitches were used for two participants with multiple disabilities. Each request switch was linked to different stimulation opportunities. Both participants learned to use the microswitches very rapidly. Responding levels were high during intervention and…