Short-term workshops with a competency orientation and a practicum component can increase the competence of teachers of severely handicapped students. Self-evaluation as a means of documenting the degree of competence and workshop effectiveness should be of particular concern. (JD)

As part of Lapham Elementary School's mainstreaming project MAZE, student volunteers serve as aides in the music classes of their handicapped schoolmates. (SJL)

A survey of 429 schools serving children classified as ESN(S)--educationally subnormal (severe)--or otherwise handicapped was conducted to find out which sign and symbol systems were used for nonvocal children. (SBH)

Thirty severely multiply handicapped deaf children have been served in an existing school for deaf children. Ongoing assessment is closely integrated with instruction to provide individual sequential programs. Children have one-to-one lessons and group experiences. The program is developed around the Social Learning Curriculum that has as its core…

Describes planning, implementation, and evaluation of an instructional unit that uses a direct instruction approach to teach the basics of American Sign Language to elementary-age students with serious emotional or behavior disorders. Figures list lesson topics and instructional objectives, provide a sample lesson plan and a story suitable for…

During five years of operation, the Montana Projects with Industry program assisted 65 people with severe disabilities to obtain and maintain community employment. Strategies that contribute to positive employment opportunities are described, and continuing challenges in enhancing and expanding supported employment services in rural areas are…

This article describes an intervention designed to reduce the guilt of parents, experiencing marital difficulties, who had a child with profound physical and intellectual deficits. Following a formal assessment of their daughter, the emotional climate of the marriage was much improved and they felt more able to cope. (Contains references.) (CR)

A study evaluated a program for training two preschool educators to promote cooperative participation between preschoolers with and without disabilities. The training program consisted of viewing examples of how to promote and praise cooperative participation, along with specific instructions and on-the-job feedback. Instruction resulted in…

Examines the sixth target of the National Agenda for Achieving Better Results for Children and Youth with Serious Emotional Disturbance (SED) by providing examples of training efforts that focus on improving the capacities and skills of educators as well as the supports behind them. Makes recommendations for improving the inservice and preservice…

This commentary on "Natural Supports in the Workplace: The Jury Is Still Out" (Test and Wood), discusses existing research on the effectiveness of natural supports. Describes job development and training approaches that facilitate natural supports and how supports can be responsive to the changing needs of supported employees and…

A series of standardized tasks was developed using the same constructs as operationalized in a state's large-scale assessment program. Student performance (n=437) was then analyzed. In reading and math, teachers (n=131) were successfully trained to administer the tasks and judge performance, providing a system with instructional and evaluative…

Discussion of ways to promote inclusion for individuals with severe disabilities first establishes the principle of normalization, then describes conditions and practices that reflect this principle and foster inclusion across the life span. These include universal design, person-centered planning, self-determination, and positive behavior…

This article describes how two young children with moderate/severe mental retardation were taught functional counting skills by helping with a snack delivery activity. Instruction involved a task analysis, use of pictures to represent objects and numbers, self-monitoring to increase student independence, and ongoing evaluation. The importance of…

This position statement by the National Joint Committee for the Communication Needs of Persons with Severe Disabilities addresses access to communication services. It states that eligibility for communication services should be based on individual needs and argues that eligibility determination based on a priori criteria violate recommended…

This paper compares segregated, integrated, and community-based environments for instructing students with severe, multiple handicaps. Advantages and disadvantages are reviewed, recommendations for selection of suitable instructional environments are offered, and essential criteria for the evaluation of instruction in the various environments are…