Only one difference between the language patterns of four parents of autistic children (six to nine years old) and parents of normal children (one to two years old) emerged: the parents of the normal children engaged in a greater proportion of adult-directed language than did the parents of the autistic children. (Author)

Parents of exceptional children were surveyed about their reaction to the individualized education program (IEP) process. Parents of gifted children, of children in itinerant settings, and of elementary children showed less positive attitudes toward IEPs. (CL)

Recounts an incident illustrating a child's development of communication skills and offers suggestions for parents to help facilitate that development. (HTH)

Describes several techniques that enable parents to prepare their preschool children for the actual process of learning how to read that they will encounter when they enter school. (FL)

Suggests activities based on the newspaper that parents can undertake with their children. Lists newspapers that publish supplemental materials for children. (FL)

Suggests ways parents can encourage the development of reading and thinking skills in their children. (Author/MP)

Describes a child's gradual discovery and awareness of the meaning of print and her beginning reading experiences. (HTH)

The authors share their ideas on how parental assertiveness can help parents in educational planning for children with disabilities. (SB)

The questions 17 mothers addressed to their children, aged 18-34 months, during a play session were examined for the purpose they served in the conversation and the forms used to express them. (RH)

Parents who received an informal invitation to their handicapped child's individualized education program (IEP) meeting along with followup efforts participated in greater numbers in the IEP meetings than parents who recieved one message and no followup communication. (CL)

Fathers' willingness to assume infant care responsibilities was related to their sex-role concepts and the amount of time fathers were available. Fathers who felt fathers should serve a greater number of functions with their children were more likely to have been present at the infant's birth. (Author)

Discusses results of a questionnaire given to 485 high school students concerning their expectations of and problems in the role of babysitter. (SS)

The Massachusetts Health Council's School Health Task Force guidelines to assist adults and parents in assessing the school health education activities are summarized. (JMF)

The article reviews provisions of P.L. 94-142 (the Education for All Handicapped Children Act) regarding parents' rights for independent educational evaluations and describes the program at the Central Institute for the Deaf to provide this service. (Author/CL)

The issues are discussed in the context of the parent and physician relationship in treatment decisions. Included are the primary elements of parent consent and the legal dilemmas confronting parents and professionals. The discussion focuses on how the law in theory differs from the practiced law. (Author)