A survey of speech and hearing difficulties exhibited by children in 73 government primary schools in Barbados was conducted. Approximately 5 percent of the children were found to have hearing difficulties and 24 percent to have speech difficulties, higher than that of some other countries. Recommendations are discussed. (Contains references.) (CR)

A study involving 6 undergraduates enrolled in a birth through kindergarten licensure program, examined the development of preservice teacher beliefs about inclusion. Students held positive beliefs about inclusion, although they had reservations whether meeting the needs of each child could always take place in inclusive settings. (Contains…

A study obtained data on 406 children from birth to age 3 with visual impairments at the point of entry into specialized early intervention programs in nine states. The majority were legally blind and had additional disabilities. About a six-month mean lag was found between diagnosis and referral for services. (Contains references.) (Author/CR)

Describes early intervention programs designed to encourage later college attendance. The programs provide disadvantaged students with the opportunity to develop skills, knowledge, confidence, aspirations, and overall preparedness for college early enough in their schooling to influence their ultimate educational attainment levels. Discusses…

A mother discusses her family's experience in transitioning her daughter from early intervention services to an early childhood program. Helpful strategies that the early childhood staff used are identified and include introducing families to teachers during the transition process and allowing parents to visit the program before sending their…

Reviewed the medical and school records of 230 adolescent mothers to determine the effects of an alternative public school for pregnant teenagers. Found that pregnant mothers who did not attend the school until later in their pregnancy were more likely to deliver a preterm, low-birthweight infant than were mothers who began attending earlier. (MDM)

Analysis of a national survey of 398 parents of preschool children with deafness or partial hearing found that, although Individualized Family Service Plans had not been developed for almost one-half of respondents, parents reported overall satisfaction with their child's early intervention program. (Author/DB)

This article reviews literature on the use of interpreters and offers recommendations that will promote effective communication among family members, service providers, and interpreters who speak the family's language, but have not been trained formally as interpreters or special educators. The complexity of the interpretation process is…

This qualitative study examined the perspectives of three families and the early interventionist in a family-centered early intervention program. Included among the six major issues are: (1) identifying and meeting child or family needs, (2) meaning of child-focused or family-focused intervention, (3) use of family resources or professional…

This article discusses the importance of using a family-centered approach in early childhood intervention and practices that integrate child assessment within the context of the family. Strategies for developing an integrated approach within the different components of the assessment process are described. Principles for assessments with family…

Reviews implications of the three primary components of the federal definition of learning disabilities (discrepancy, heterogeneity, and exclusion) for the assessment of children with learning disabilities (LD). Also proposes a rationale and procedures for more efficient approaches to the identification of children as learning disabled that are…

This article comments on results of a study (EC 629 869) on the reliability of the Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers (M-CHAT), a early detection screening test. It discusses concerns relating to clinic vs. population samples, data analysis, use of a parent questionnaire only to identify autism, and the age of screening. (Contains…

This article responds to comments (EC 629 869-70) on a study on the reliability of the Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers (M-CHAT), a early detection screening test. It addresses concerns relating to clinic vs. population samples, data analysis, use of a parent questionnaire only to identify autism, and the age of screening. (Contains 6…

A follow-up study of 71 adolescents with preschool histories of speech-language impairments found children whose language problems had been resolved by ages 5 to 6 did not differ from controls on tests of vocabulary and language-comprehension skills, however, they performed significantly less well on tests of phonological processing and literacy…

This study investigated the effects of naturalistic, teacher-mediated intervention strategies on increasing levels of active engagement in three young children (ages 4-5) with developmental delays in inclusive classrooms. Intervention strategies were effective in increasing the level of active engagement in identified areas of need for all three…