A study of the productivity of human resources staffs in 31 2-year colleges looked at the relationship between human relations and employment staff size and the numbers of, vacancies in, and services to full- and part-time faculty. Institutions are ranked according to these variables. (MSE)

Reviews the online public access catalog (OPAC) literature from 1980 through 1989 to assist librarians in their efforts to examine this growing body of literature. The 35 articles reviewed address the value of OPAC instruction, teaching methods, staffing needs, faculty education, and serving remote users. (Author/CLB)

Examines the way that feeding and nutrition concerns of children with disabilities are addressed under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act; includes two case studies of families who received nutritional services for their young children (ages one and two) with disabilities. The role of the nutritionist is considered. (Author/SW)

The Enabling Practices Scale was developed to measure the level of empowering practices used by employment organizations serving individuals with disabilities and was tested with 127 Australian parents who have adult children with intellectual disability. Factor analysis revealed three factors: comfort with parent-staff relationship,…

Professionals who work with individuals who are blind or visually impaired are encouraged to use the power of the information, technology, and knowledge explosions, by capturing the advantages that new communication technology offers and passing these advantages on to clients in education and rehabilitation settings. (JDD)

A survey of 160 Quebec school administrators (with 51.3 percent responding) found that respondents perceived that 13 percent of learning-assistance teachers' time was devoted to direct intervention in regular classrooms, while 27 percent was the desired amount. Consultation with regular classroom teachers and parents occupied a relatively minor…

Homesickness is a normal response of campers to the stress of being separated from their families. Suggestions for interventions include preparing children and parents for the camp experience, educating staff concerning child development and homesickness, developing a plan for the child who has adjustment problems, and following-up with campers at…

Discusses how early childhood programs offer a wealth of opportunities for intergenerational experiences. Describes the benefits of intergenerational programs for children, teachers, and parents; offers tips for building a successful program; and provides some options for creating different kinds of programs. Outlines nine factors to consider…

This survey of 249 state and private agencies and schools for blind and visually impaired persons found that 149 offered recreation services. The survey addressed the recreation personnel's employment status, educational background and continuing education experiences, professional affiliation, and interest in networking with other recreation…

Results from administration of the Maslach Burnout Inventory indicated that 60 direct care staff working with autistic clients in school programs that permitted the use of strong aversives reported more intense feelings of personal accomplishment than did 56 staff whose programs were limited to the use of mild aversives. (Author/JDD)

Provides strategies to facilitate more effective professional/paraprofessional collaboration in special education: clarification of roles and responsibilities, discussion of job expectations, daily scheduling, ongoing communication, and regularly scheduled training. Lists sample role descriptions for professionals and paraprofessionals, discussion…

Describes a treatment classroom for emotionally disturbed adolescents. Examines staff roles and responsibilities and the interventions and counseling techniques used to alter maladaptive behaviors and emotions. Explores the functional relationship between education and counseling, and discusses the interactions and interdependence of client,…

This article discusses the role of speech-language pathologists in serving preschool children with dysphagia. Current approaches to feeding and swallowing intervention, etiologies and programs, transdisciplinary teaming, developmental and feeding evaluation, and types of service delivery models (home-based and center-based) for preschool children…

Discusses the importance of nurturing alliances between specialists and families within the context of developmental assessments. Five axioms with family stories illustrate how specialists and families can collaborate during assessments to ensure that services include families and promote acquisition of knowledge in natural settings. (Author/CR)

This article synthesizes information from the special education literature about functional behavioral assessments (FBAs), including the law and FBA, working definitions, basic assumptions underlying FBA, the role of the diagnosticians, the role of special educators, the steps to conducting an FBA, the methods of FBA, and tools for the…