Presents the response of five Reading Recovery teachers to an article in the same issue of this journal by Bonnie L. Barnes critiquing Reading Recovery. Offers Barnes' answer to their response. (SR)

Outlines the history of vocational evaluation and assessment, career assessment, and transition assessment; discusses the relationship among these three areas; and provides recommendations in the area of transition assessment, including the need to start the assessment process at an earlier age and to emphasize performance in the community. (CR)

This synthesis reviewed the findings of 13 intervention studies, published between 1975-1999, that examined the effects of manipulation of toys or group composition on social behaviors of children (ages 3-5) with disabilities. Positive outcomes were associated with children's playing with social toys and playgroups that included typical children.…

Describes a study that examined the relations between shared reading and the development of phonological sensitivity and oral language skills in very young children. Explains that preschool measures of shared reading were found to be correlated significantly with these developmental outcomes. Discusses results in the context of calls for improved…

Examined the marked delay in language acquisition suffered by babies with Down Syndrome and how early treatment affects the subsequent observed development among 36 subjects in Spain. Found statistically significant differences in language acquisitions in favor of newborns, compared with 90-day-old through 18-month-old infants who experienced…

An interview with Dr. Shaywitz , pediatrician, neuroscientist, and member of the National Reading Panel, focuses on the ways the brains of young children develop and what can be done to prevent early learning difficulties. (MLF)

Reports preliminary results of a 2.5 year project in which 138 special needs children received instruction by three methods which differed in intensity and degree of explicitness of instruction in phonological awareness and phonetic decoding strategies. Finds a clear advantage in phonetic reading ability for one group of children at the end of…

Evaluated an early intervention, risk-reduction strategy in comparison with a standard intervention approach in the treatment of inner-city youth at risk of adopting a deviant life style. Regression analysis of outcome measures for 428 inner-city youth revealed significant differential results for delinquent activity, favoring the experimental…

Speech-language pathologists working with infants or toddlers with feeding problems should obtain a feeding history, conduct an assessment of feeding practices, set appropriate preliminary and long-range goals, and investigate treatment options and appropriate feeding techniques. Feeding techniques for premature, neurologically impaired, Down…

It is argued that intergenerational poverty has devastating effects on families and children; and intensive targeted interventions in the first five years of life are effective in preventing intellectual dysfunction resulting from poverty. Issues related to developing and implementing national efforts to prevent environmentally induced handicaps…

Professional and bureaucratic barriers to implementation of mainstreaming at the preschool level include philosophical and theoretical differences between early childhood education and special education, differences in personnel preparation, staff attitudes, issues related to current state regulations and monitoring, and provision of related…

The article examines the need for new strategies for screening and identification of infants potentially eligible for services under Public Law 99-457. Both traditional and new assessment methods involving the family are required. (Author/DB)

Planning and implementing successful community-based social integration experiences for infants and toddlers with multiple disabilities require consideration of such issues as the developmental needs unique to this age-group, family needs and concerns, health and safety considerations, and training needs of staff. (JDD)

This paper presents the concept of pediatric Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) as a complex bio-ecological problem; reviews its biomedical aspects; explores relevant economic, political, and social issues; and examines early intervention options. Society is urged to stress mutual aid and voluntary cooperation in its social policy and…

Examined frequency of preschool lending library use by parents at four preschool centers. Quantitative data included tabulations of monthly library usage and inventories of materials. Qualitative data included interviews, on-site observations, and a parent focus group interview. Found that factors contributing to high usage included physical…