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)

Answers questions concerning the Americans with Disabilities Act's effect on early childhood programs. Questions include the following: Are centers with no federal funding exempt? Must centers accept every disabled child? What does "reasonable accommodations" mean? When can centers terminate enrollment? Can fees be raised to offset…

The implications for colleges of the Americans with Disabilities Act, which prohibits discrimination against individuals with physical disabilities, are examined. The scope of the law, sections of special relevance to higher education institutions, and appropriate responses are discussed. A plan for policy formation and administrative action is…

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…

This study investigated the semantic and syntactic knowledge of a child (age 12) with severe multiple disabilities who could read, write, and comprehend 2 languages but did not initiate conversation. The study demonstrates that high levels of language comprehension and ability to read and write do not automatically transfer to conversational…

Students with disabilities can be a successful part of a regular science classroom setting. This article describes the requirements of Public laws 94-142 and 93-112 and explains how science teachers can provide the least restrictive environments. (Contains 26 references.) (PR)

Lists strategies for promoting functional vision use in children with visual and motor impairments, including providing postural stability, presenting visual attention tasks when energy level is the highest, using a slanted work surface, placing target items in varied locations within reach, and determining the most effective visual adaptations.…

A case study assessed the efficacy of extinction of parental attention on nighttime crying of a 2-year-old Dutch child with a physical disability. Parents of the child were instructed to ignore nighttime crying. Extinction of parental attention was effective in the elimination and long-term maintenance of nighttime crying. (Author/CR)

A study of 462 school-based physical therapists indicated that the majority of physical therapists working in public schools were satisfied with their jobs. Sources of dissatisfaction were school policies and procedures, opportunities for career advancements, quality of supervision, high caseloads, and limitations of space and equipment.…

Reviews research from the past 15 years of the influence of physical, cognitive, or sensory disabilities on parental role functioning. Focuses on conceptual problems about the impact of chronic illness or disability on individuals and families, countering the notion that parenting skills of disabled persons are qualitatively different. (RJM)

Examines data collected by the federal Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) on the identification and classification of special education students. Analysis suggests that the OSEP count data, by themselves, do not indicate how many children have disabilities or what types of disabilities they have, and the data cannot by used to evaluate…

Presents the experiences of two physically handicapped students who were enabled to draw on their own through the use of adaptive drawing apparatuses specifically suited to fit their individual needs. Describes how to build a drawing tool, including the list of supplies. (CMK)

Parents were trained to provide infants (n=4) with low muscle tone secondary to Down Syndrome with a home intervention oral motor training program. Four case studies indicate that all four children demonstrated improved oral motor function for eating, drinking, and speaking. (Contains references.) (DB)

In the fall of 1995, Cindy Cook and her husband were anxiously awaiting the arrival of their first child. They were thrilled, excited and a little nervous about this new person that would be changing their lives. During a routine ultrasound around the fourth month of pregnancy, doctors noticed the walls of the baby's heart appeared thickened.…

Based on a systems theory of motor control, reactive postural control (RPA) and anticipatory postural control (APA) in children are reviewed from several perspectives in order to develop an evidence-based intervention strategy for improving postural control in children with limitations in motor function. Research on development of postural…