This article reviews critical learning and behavioral problems of children exposed prenatally to alcohol and other drugs, especially executive function deficits. It considers risk factors associated with prenatal drug exposure and effective classroom interventions for executive function deficits in nonverbal working memory, internalization of…

Asthma is at near-epidemic proportions among poor urban children, but in Baltimore, a school-based health program is providing relief. The six-week program teaches children how to manage their disease, which in turn reduces absenteeism and decreases emergency room visits. Informal assessment indicates the program is fairly effective. (SM)

An exploratory study involving 31 families found that chronically ill children and their parents express needs and concerns to their pediatricians in veiled ways. Physicians sometimes provide reassurance too soon rather than attending to the family's underlying pathology. Vignettes describe the families' styles of communication with their…

Analysis of a survey of 234 early childhood special education (ECSE) teachers in Virginia found that ECSE staff conducted gastrostomy feedings and/or catheterizations, that nurses provided care for tracheostomies and mechanical ventilation, and that 38% of school systems (mostly urban and suburban) had written policies concerning preschoolers with…

The Infant Health and Development Program was an eight-site randomized controlled trial of comprehensive early intervention for low birthweight, premature infants from birth to age three. Higher mental development and IQ were associated with high levels of intervention participation at 24 and 36 (but not 12) months. A dose-response relation…

Examined over 200 perinatal variables relating to mothers and to children's neurological, cognitive, and motor functions at 15 months and 4 and 7 years. Factor analysis identified latent variables that characterized covariations among perinatal variables. There were many correlations to children's outcomes, particularly for variables relating to…

Discusses the availability of special education programs in the Soviet Union. Identifies a shortage of instructional programs for children identified as physically or mentally impaired. Reports that approximately 800,000 Soviet children with development disabilities either receive no instruction or attend regular schools. Lists recommendations for…

A peer modeling procedure was shown to induce swallowing in a young child with dysphagia, and to increase food acceptance in a young child who consistently declined food. A peer-mediated procedure, consisting of rotated opportunities to consume food with a peer, increased consumption more than did modeling alone. (Author/JDD)

The survey of 79 group homes for persons with mental handicap in two provinces of the Netherlands found a positive relationship between age and certain sensory handicaps and chronic diseases, as well as the co-incidence of certain health problems. (Author/DB)

Summarizes Dine College's (New Mexico) leading role in researching diabetes and other Navajo health problems, and its employment of students to help conduct research. States that because of an intimate understanding of their people, students can research topics that outside researchers would not or could not choose. (VWC)

Notes that education policies favoring inclusion mean that a growing number of pupils may have health-related support needs. Draws on study data to reflect on the position of these pupils within policy guidance on special educational and medical needs. Finds that the needs of this group remain somewhat hidden; discusses the prospect of…

This federally funded project was designed to achieve three goals: (1) to test the effectiveness of an individualized behaviorally based developmental approach to providing early intervention services to very low birthweight preterm infants (and their families) in the newborn intensive care unit (NICU); (2) to evaluate this approach with low-risk,…

Intended for physical educators, this manual provides guidelines for providing safe and effective physical activity programs for children with Marfan syndrome, a congenital condition involving the connective tissues and the probable cause of sudden death by heart failure of some young competitive athletes in recent cases. The manual includes…

This workbook is a companion to an 18-minute instructional video on nutrition services in early intervention programs. Both the workbook and the video are designed to assist early intervention professionals concerning nutrition and feeding concerns of children with special health care needs. The following issues are addressed: importance of…

Homeless people with alcohol and other drug problems present the traditional substance abuse services delivery provider with special challenges. This paper discusses the optimal designs of comprehensive treatment services for homeless persons with alcohol and other drug problems. Most importantly, the homeless must have immediate access to a safe…