Outlines a brief history of the relationship between people experiencing disabilities and art education. Discusses the emergence of a sociopolitical orientation. Shows how that orientation can better inform research in art education. Proposes additional contributions that art educators can make to this civil rights movement. (KM)

The Speech-Language Pathologist Stress Inventory is a 48-item questionnaire adapted from the Teacher Stress Inventory. Factor analyses of the responses of 626 speech-language pathologists revealed 4 stress source factors: bureaucratic restrictions, time and workload management, lack of professional supports, and instructional limitations. (DB)

Considers the ecological validity of tests in predicting the effects of speech and language impairment on communicative performance in real-world settings and the need for systematic observation of communicative behaviors, particularly of individuals from other cultures. Discusses whether standardized testing and systematic observation are…

This article presents data showing that two of the four forms of neuroplasticity, homologous area adaptation and map extension, are relevant to recovery from aphasia. It discusses factors related to neuroplastic activity during language recovery, including neurophysiological, subject, and environmental treatment variables. (Contains references.)…

This article reviews issues in speech motor control and a class of communication disorders known as motor speech disorders that include dysarthrias, apraxia of speech, developmental apraxia of speech, developmental stuttering, acquired (neurogenic and psychogenic) stuttering, and cluttering. Assessment, classification, and treatment of these…

Focus group research methodology was used to identify professional skills regarded by educational team members (N=30) as necessary to support students who used augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) in general education classrooms. All valued five skills, including the ability to work together collaboratively and to maintain and operate…

This article discusses research findings in increasing language skills in children with autism, assessing and teaching precursors relating to positive outcome, the importance of family involvement in intervention, best practices for communicative interventions, interrelationships between language and other autistic behaviors, and the social and…

This article evaluates three early intervention approaches--applied behavior analysis, TEAACH (Treatment and Education of Autistic and Related Communication Handicapped Children), a structured classroom-based program, and relationship therapy/"floor time"--to identify which aspects of each approach complement individual learning styles…

This article discusses some specific outcome measures for social communication problems exhibited by school-age children. Measures are discussed relative to (1) a model for viewing abilities essential for social communication and (2) a framework for sampling these abilities across four different contexts. A case example applies these outcome…

Most children who are congenitally deafblind are severely delayed in their communication development and many will not achieve symbolic understanding and expression. This article discusses developmental markers cited in the research literature as predictive of or facilitative of the development of symbolism. These markers include the growth toward…

The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of grandparents in the communication development of children who are deafblind. The two-tiered study was conducted through State Projects for Deafblind Children in Arkansas, Mississippi, and Tennessee with 143 parents and 80 grandparents. The grandparents identified as "most involved"…

Multicultural research in augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) is an emerging area of intrigue and mystery. Most important, it is necessary in order to advance the field of AAC and to ensure the delivery of quality services to culturally and linguistically diversity AAC consumers and their families. This article addresses both the need…

Purpose: To provide descriptive and qualitative information about communication in young children with fragile X syndrome (FXS) and about how families react to and accommodate communication differences in their children. Method: In-depth interviews were conducted with 55 mothers of young children with FXS. Interviewers asked mothers to describe…

The study explored whether children with high functioning autism (HFA), Asperger syndrome (AS), and pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS) can be differentiated on the Children's Communication Checklist (CCC). The study also investigated whether empirically derived autistic subgroups can be identified with a cluster…

This paper discusses the knowledge, skills and understandings of Foundation Stage teachers in relation to children's speech and language development. Results from a questionnaire to 294 teachers reveal limited initial and post qualification training. Teachers' knowledge of specific aspects of children's language revealed that key areas for…