The Foundation for Blind Children, established in 1952, is a private, nonprofit, United Way agency. The foundation's mission is to provide education, counseling, communication and technology services to children and adults who are blind or visually impaired. By helping them to master their environment, it helps families lead lives of independence…

Teacher efficacy is linked to student achievement and classroom practices in general and special education, but has not been explored in early intervention (EI). Based upon the work of Gibson and Dembo [Gibson, S., & Dembo, M. H. (1984). Teacher efficacy: A contrast validation. Journal of Educational Psychology, 76(4) 569-582], a 15-item early…

Background: Data have accumulated to show that the Lidcombe Program of early stuttering intervention is a safe treatment with positive outcomes for preschoolers who stutter, and a randomized controlled trial is under way at the time of writing. Program components have not been investigated experimentally so the functionality of each component is…

Research on the meaning of play accelerated in the 1980s, but play in children with profound multiple disabilities is a topic, that is not discussed very often in research. In this article, play in children with profound multiple disabilities is in focus. The aim is to highlight studies on play as a tool for learning and early stimulation, and for…

There are four common stages in the consultative journey: (1) preparing for the relationship; (2) making the most of the experience; (3) committing to change; and (4) acknowledging separations, endings, and good-byes. Two Early Head Start program leaders recount their own experiences of these stages while working with infant mental health…

Purpose: To determine the degree to which early intervention professionals and families agreed on whether specific family-centered practices were implemented in specific child assessments and which practices were viewed as important to include in future child assessments. Method: A self-rating instrument was used to survey 134 early intervention…

SHELLS (Support at Home for Early Language and LiteracieS) is a program designed for families with children from birth to three years of age. It has operated in Australia since 1998. Partnerships are at the heart of SHELLS. Parents know their children, their community, and what is culturally appropriate. Facilitators know the community, have…

Food aversion was shown to be effective in the reduction of plastic pica by a 4-year-old boy with autism. The participant was suffering from digestive complications due to the ingestion of plastic from a variety of toys. The intervention was initially conducted in the child's preschool classroom during instructional periods and was systematically…

The early identification of children with learning disabilities (LD) is difficult but can be accomplished. Observation of key behaviors which are indicators of LD by preschool and kindergarten teachers can assist in this process. This early identification facilitates the use of intervention strategies to provide a positive early experience for…

This paper will review the literature on the rate, stability, and outcomes associated with externalizing behavior problems prior to kindergarten entry. Bronfenbrenner's (The ecology of human development. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press) ecological framework will be used to present the factors related to the onset and persistence of…

We propose that a model for early screening of children aged 3-5 years for vulnerability for learning disabilities risk can result in preventive interventions, including collaborative interventions planned through parent-professional partnership. The goals of screening and preventive services would be to mitigate increased risk of learning…

The importance of early intervention for children with hearing loss has been demonstrated persuasively in areas including speech perception and production and spoken language. The present research shows that feelings of loneliness, a significant emotional outcome, are affected by the age at which children receive intervention with cochlear…

This report focuses on psychological practice with children and adolescents, concurring with a previous task force report that integrating science and practice must be a priority. In addition, the report advocates that developmental considerations and cultural/contextual factors warrant specific, distinctive attention by researchers and…

Project Forum at the National Association of State Directors of Special Education (NASDSE) and the National Center for Homeless Education (NCHE) worked together to collect information regarding the need for a policy forum on the topic of administrative collaboration between school personnel who support homeless education under the McKinney-Vento…

Due to federal budget cuts in 2005-06, 11 family literacy programs in Pennsylvania switched from federal Even Start to state (Act 143) funding. Simultaneously, state welfare requirements stipulated that in most circumstances adult education is not an allowable work activity for welfare recipients over age 20. This study examined how these policy…