A survey of 60 special schools serving physically disabled children (ages 14-16) in England and Wales determined that 70 percent of the schools did not teach foreign languages, and small percentages did not offer history, music, and geography. The impact of the National Curriculum on these students and schools is discussed. (JDD)

This paper focuses on the integration of preschool children with moderate to profound disabilities in a day care center. The paper offers a rationale for day care integration, outlines best practice components, and describes a program which merged an early intervention program for children with disabilities with a community-based child care…

This study found that, of 18 children with severe visual and multiple impairments assessed using the Acuity Card Procedure (originally developed for assessing the visual acuity of infants), 42 percent responded. A similar group received a simple instructional intervention prior to testing and that group's response rate was 85 percent. (Author/DB)

This article presents general information on visually impaired children with progressive, terminal neurodegenerative disorders including implications for the classroom, specific techniques to help the child live and learn, and the development of multidisciplinary support systems including both professionals and family members. (DB)

A naturalistic inquiry involving early childhood special education teachers' perceptions of integrating children with complex health care needs into the classroom found that teachers' initial reactions were fear and apprehension, but teachers later had positive feelings and adjusted to dealing with life-threatening situations and communicable…

A naturalistic time delay strategy and a carefully graded discrimination sequence were used to teach requesting of high interest leisure activities to a student with severe and multiple disabilities. Implications for programming and instruction in the cross-curriculum area of communication are discussed. (Author/DB)

The Developmental Activities Screening Inventory II (DASI-II) was administered to a group of 13 toddlers with severe disabilities. Results indicated that interrater reliability was statistically significant across raters for all scores reported by the DASI-II and that test-retest stability was statistically significant across administrations and…

This survey of parents of 29 girls with Rett syndrome found that subjects reported more stress, lower marital satisfaction, and certain adaptations in family functioning compared to norms. However, most parents scored in the normal range. Scores were not related to socioeconomic status or characteristics of the affected child. (DB)

This study investigated the relationship between self-restraint (e.g., entanglement of limbs in clothing or furniture) and self-injurious behavior (SIB) using functional analysis with five males with severe mental retardation. Results suggested that self-restraint, like SIB, may be maintained by idiosyncratic contingencies. (Author/DB)

Highlights a rural Montana family's experience with limited availability of special-education personnel and services for their severely disabled son. Suggests ways to improve rural special education services, including a flexible planning process, partnerships with university programs, use of information technology, and support networks. (KS)

This review of the legal issues concerning eligibility for extended school year services for children with severe disabilities addresses both statutory and case law, as well as practical guidelines to help educators comply with federal statutes, especially the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of…

Two adults and two children with severe disabilities and challenging behaviors participated in the Lifestyle Development Process, in which a planning process was implemented to develop a vision of a quality life, remediate barriers to participation, and develop intervention strategies. All participants increased their number of preferred,…

Two boys (ages 6 and 15) with severe, multiple handicaps participated in social play activities with 10 nonhandicapped fifth graders, who had been trained on interaction with socially withdrawn children. Increases in all participants' socially directed behavior were observed. Both boys with handicaps increased targeted motor responses when…

This study found that, in a task context, differential reinforcement of other behavior (DRO) effectively reduced problem behavior and increased task performance of 2 adolescents with severe disabilities (ages 15 and 19), whereas a time-out procedure was ineffective. In a leisure context, time-out was effective while DRO was ineffective.…

The educational, employment, and community adjustment outcomes of 106 special school graduates with severe physical disabilities were examined. Most graduates continued with college or training programs. Many expressed the need for more intensive guidance counseling, additional job skill training, more help with transportation, and more access to…