Comments on the ideas espoused by Smedslund (PS 522 552) in this issue. Agrees to the idea of spending more intellectual energy in distinguishing between a priori and empirical hypotheses but emphasizes that concepts are not always accurate reflections of reality and that even empirical disconfirmation of an a priori hypothesis sometimes can…

This article presents an early intervention model for infants who are deaf-blind that focuses on the significance of infant-caregiver interaction. It proposes intervention strategies to develop contingent responsiveness in caregivers, promote active learning in infants, support mutually satisfying exchanges, and address the exceptional learning…

In order to evaluate possibilities of fitting myoelectrically controlled prosthetic arms on infants, this study examined whether 32 infants (1-6 months) could learn to control environmental contingencies by means of contracting the forearm flexor muscle group. Results indicated that older subjects (age greater than 104 days) demonstrated learning,…

This paper introduces conductive education (CE) for rehabilitation of children with motor disabilities through development of ordered movement and coordinated function. It reviews the origin of CE, its development between 1945 and 1994, the CE method, and the new profession of CE practitioners. Recent extension of CE to education for children…

Examines the potential contribution of different neural systems to developmental change in the duration of visual fixation, and the individual differences in that variable that are predictive of subsequent cognitive function. Presents hypotheses concerning two specific and independent neural systems and how they might contribute to individual and…

Examined the possible existence, direction, and nature of subconscious, cognitive biases in participants' quality attributions to maternal and nonmaternal child-care interactions, the relationship of such biases to subject's background, and their attitudes toward child care and maternal employment. Potential explanations for the biases and the…

Reviews: (1) "Deciding Who Lives: Fateful Choices in the Intensive-Care Nursery" (Renee Anspach); (2) "Maltreatment and the School-Age Child: Developmental Outcomes and System Issues" (Phyllis Howing and others); (3) "Preventing Prejudice: A Guide for Counsellors and Educators" (J.G. Ponterotto and P.B. Pederson); and…

Examined 1 hour of conversation between 12 mothers and their 23-month-old children. Children were more likely to imitate correct grammatical morphemes after mothers' corrective recasting of children's errors than after three types of maternal responses that did not correct an error but did model a morpheme. (BC)

Researchers tested the Concerns Based Adoption Model and the Stages of Concern Questionnaire (SoCQ), which address professionals' feelings about innovation. Professionals who received innovative training on early intervention completed the survey. Results support the Concerns Based Adoption Model's broad underlying assumptions. A revised model and…

Assessed infant temperament at 2 days and 5 months of age, attachment to mother at 14 months, and behavioral inhibition at 24 months. Distress at pacifier withdrawal at two days was related to insecure attachment. Reactivity to frustration and novelty at five months was related to high vagal tone. Attachment classification was related to inhibited…

Mothers used unconstrained or trained facial expressions to convey to their infants messages about happiness or fear concerning a novel object. Results indicated that infants sought and used maternal appraisals; maternal messages of fear lacked clarity; and maternal messages regulated daughters' distance from objects. (BC)

Describes a study of three infants whose parents presented vocal models for the infants to imitate. Parents presented vocal models both with and without social praise. Infants showed systematic increases in matching after praise was introduced. Nonmatching vocalizations did not increase with introduction of praise. Findings demonstrate generalized…

Uses census data, 1886-1900, to examine Northern Cheyenne child-spacing and effective fertility patterns as indicators of maternal and infant health. Concludes that, contrary to early interpretations of improved health among reservation populations, the Northern Cheyenne suffered health deterioration related to oppressive government political and…

Parents (n=52) of blind and partially sighted infants and preschoolers were surveyed concerning the frequency of occurrence and stability of the children's stereotyped behaviors. Stereotyped behaviors frequently observed in blind children proved to be stable, whereas other stereotyped behaviors were less stable. Age of child and frequency of…

This article argues that current models of intervention for infants and toddlers with disabilities suffer from conflicting research results and practical implementation problems and discusses alternative approaches, including the need for comprehensive needs assessment, protocols for matching services with needs, interagency system changes, and a…