Notes that inclusive education is central to contemporary discourse on special needs education. Examines difficulties in allowing the concept to be a key organizing principle for educational provision. Argues that setting aside preoccupation with inclusion would result in a clearer focus on core educational values and student learning and…

A concluding article to a clinical forum on language, speech, and hearing services to students with autism spectrum disorder stresses: (1) importance of incorporating the family perspective in assessment and intervention; (2) social, behavioral, and communication challenges that influence assessment and intervention; and (3) effects of the…

Describes classroom-developed science and mathematics backpacks, self-contained educational packets developed around a theme or concept and designed to be completed at home. Presents generalized contents, a sample backpack on colors, and the backpack's advantages, including promotion of active learning, family involvement, curriculum integration,…

Describes challenges of school-initiated family involvement, including ambiguous definitions of family involvement and diversity of backgrounds. Provides guiding "themes" for involvement philosophies and interactions. Examines how three types of family professionals can work with schools to strengthen family involvement: teacher training…

This paper presents the requirements for family participation on multidisciplinary teams under Public Law 99-457, reviews literature on family participation on teams working with handicapped children, identifies factors that influence team functioning, and suggests how team members can facilitate family involvement. (Author/JDD)

The family is the handicapped infant or toddler's ecological system, is critical to the child's optimal development, and must be incorporated into early intervention programs. Characteristics of the ecosystem of the family of a handicapped child are discussed, followed by characteristics of ecologically attuned early intervention teams. (JDD)

As part of a family cardiovascular health promotion project, 111 Mexican-American and 95 Anglo-American families with fifth or sixth grade children were assigned to either a primary prevention program involving 18 sessions or to a control condition. Correlates of attendance were low baseline scores on physical activity and cardiovascular fitness…

Describes the beginnings of Head Start in detail. Discusses Head Start's record in providing health care for low-income children. Compares early Head Start with the program of recent years. Discusses ways in which Head Start emphasizes children's health and helps Head Start parents and family members. (BG)

Issues related to training of personnel working with handicapped infants/toddlers and their families center on two major areas: content of training and process of training. Following an analysis of within-discipline and cross-discipline content and within-discipline and cross-discipline training processes, recommendations are offered concerning…

Reviews strategies and techniques to enhance prosocial development. Suggests ways for involving whole classrooms, entire school systems, parents, and communities in creating classroom and home climates for prosocial expectations and learner support. Gives specific activities, strategies, guidelines, and resources. (ET)

Describes year-long "Container-of-the-Month" project, around which a number of second-grade class lessons and activities revolved. These included art, communicating through displays, oral and written reports, and family-oriented homework. (ET)

Recognizing that preschool experience of hearing stories read aloud contributes significantly to children's subsequent success in learning to read at school, this paper explores the complex and powerful literacy learning that can develop from a certain style of whole class story reading to children whose home cultures would not otherwise give them…

This article describes a conceptual framework for developing a multifaceted, individualized treatment program for young children who stutter, their families, and their preschool or day-care staff. Suggestions are provided for reducing environmental demands through education, affective support, and behavior change facilitation. Direct therapy…

This article describes models and methods of advocacy for families of children with disabilities in elementary and middle school, including self-advocacy, social support advocacy, interpersonal advocacy, and legal advocacy. Issues for parents during these years are discussed, as are the role and needs of siblings. Advocacy is seen as a dynamic…

Involving families in the education of a child with a disability is beneficial to all concerned. Unfortunately, initiating and sustaining that involvement is often difficult, particularly in rural communities. A rationale for and challenges to family involvement are briefly reviewed. Twenty-one effective practical strategies for involving rural…