Six common barriers to the establishment of a community based educational model for moderately and severely handicapped students are identified, and solutions are recommended. The barriers are (1) limited staff, (2) transportation, (3) scheduling, (4) cost, (5) negative reaction to curriculum emphasis change, and (6) applicability to multiply…

Career orientation rap sessions provide the opportunity for severely physically handicapped adolescents to talk to people with similar interests and experiences. The handicapped adult discussion leader shares personal experiences to encourage the adolescents to find what works for them. (SEW)

The use of a manual vibrator to supplement the traditional speech therapy program for four moderately mentally retarded six- and seven-year-old children attending a special education class is discussed. (Author/SEW)

The single most important prerequisite for professionals working with severely and profoundly handicapped children in provincial school systems is the belief that all individuals can learn and that their rates of learning are not a justifiable basis for judging the "worthwhileness" of individuals nor the importance of teaching them. (BRR)

Discusses symptoms of Alzheimer Disease and suggests client-centered counseling techniques to use with patients and family. Considers the disease's effect on family relationships relative to stage of family development. Examines the adjustment of the caregiving spouse. Offers practical suggestions for coping. (RC)

The first element in defining the life goals of mentally retarded persons is the establishment of nurturing environments. These environments consist of an array of community-based residential, educational, and vocational alternatives. The disabled person should receive full recognition as a developmental being. (JN)

A severely disabled and retarded 15-year-old girl was examined for: effect of music and approval as reinforcers for following a command; effect of a food-pairing procedure on an approval alone condition, an approval plus music condition, and an ignore condition; durability of newly conditioned reinforcers; and strength of the new reinforcers as…

The normative developmental model is discussed in terms of its implication for assessment and instruction for severely/profoundly retarded children. (Author/PHR)

This discussion of self-determination in young children with severe disabilities first offers a definition of self-determination and then looks at the early roots of self-determination from a developmental perspective. The article explores the relationship of (1) skills associated with self-determination and (2) practices, curriculum, and…

A student with multiple medical conditions and mental disabilities attends a Manitoba public school. A large interdisciplinary team, which includes his parents and a registered nurse/teaching assistant who accompanies him daily, works on his educational agenda, which focuses on individual skill development. His presence has enhanced professional…

A review of the research on designing instruction for students with significant disabilities identifies valid questions and the conclusions derived from these questions that focus on additional research needs. The questions are organized around three concerns: (1) the role of instructional materials; (2) ways to motivate students to learn; and (3)…

Two special educators comment on an article in the same issue by Joe Reichle entitled "Communication Intervention with Persons Who Have Several Disabilities." Siegel-Causey stresses the implications of advances in augmentative and alternative communication and training for broader use of existing communication skills. Mirenda supports combining…

This commentary on "Natural Supports in the Workplace: The Jury Is Still Out" (Test and Wood), criticizes natural supports as a concept that is premised on the notion that people with disabilities are the only ones who need "support" and perpetuates the notion of control over persons with disabilities. (CR)

This article discusses providing students with significant disabilities the opportunity to participate in meaningful, age-appropriate learning experiences in postsecondary settings during their final years of school. A sample schedule of a participating student is provided, along with steps for developing alternative options for students with…

This introductory article discusses cultural considerations in the design and delivery of services to families whose children have a moderate to severe disability. It calls attention to the lack of consideration of culturally and linguistically diverse families in the current research and summarizes the following articles. (CR)