High-risk infants may exhibit hearing impairments which can subsequently impede speech/language development. Discussed are prenatal risk factors, including environmental toxins and infections; and perinatal factors such as prematurity, asphyxia, intracranial hemorrhage, bilirubin, ototoxic drugs, and environmental noise. A table summarizes factors…

A survey of 91 parents of children moving from early intervention programs into special education kindergartens found that most parents felt involved in the transition process and received more support from early intervention providers than from public schools. More educated parents and better prepared parents tended to feel most satisfied.…

Findings from a study of 302 California students suggest that there are no statistically reliable differences, at any grade level, first through fourth, between those learners who had attended preschools and those who had not. (IAH)

Today private-sector partnerships and business involvement aimed at improving the educational system operate at several levels: (1) policy; (2) systemic educational improvements; (3) management assistance; (4) teacher training and development; and (5) classroom programs. Early intervention for the future work force is the motivating factor.…

Discusses the need for early intervention in the primary grades to avoid secondary school drop out, noting that most at risk-secondary students have major deficiencies in reading, writing, and listening, as well as low self-esteem. Reviews the effectiveness of the "Success in Reading and Writing Program" in meeting these needs. (NH)

Seventeen rating scales to assess parent-infant interactions are reviewed. A table provides identifying information, descriptive information, and psychometric qualities. Discussion includes implications for practice in the assessment of infants with disabilities and directions for future research. (Author/DB)

This article describes individual steps of a marketing plan, as well as field practices from more than 20 early intervention programs using the marketing approach to help achieve public awareness of early intervention programs as required under Part H of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. (DB)

Eleven young children with borderline to moderate levels of mental retardation (mean initial age 47.7 months) received 3 to 4 sessions weekly of milieu language training in a small group play situation. Milieu teaching was associated with enhanced generativity and use of semantic relationships. (Author/DB)

This article describes common federal and nongovernmental funding sources that provide early intervention services to families with young children who are disadvantaged or disabled. Three case studies portray how funding streams can be translated into coordinated services for children and families. Specific strategies include better service…

Argues that for early intervention programs to become part of national, state, and community efforts to assist families in early education, they must represent the cooperation and joint planning of constituencies involved, including the research, policy, consumer, and practice communities. Describes an early education demonstration program that is…

Analysis of survey responses from 42 families of infants/toddlers with special needs found that both mothers and fathers desired involvement in the child's early intervention program and that their major perceived need was for information. However, differences were found between fathers' and mothers' preferred formats for receiving information.…

This review considers use of natural language instruction by early childhood teachers for children with language disabilities in inclusive environments. The following factors are addressed: child-centered approach, family involvement, classroom strategies, activity-based intervention, environmental influences, the function of play, preliteracy…

Provides independent analysis of the extant evaluations of Reading Recovery. Finds that students make greater than expected gains in reading, effects comparable to those accomplished by other effective educational interventions; and that programs are less effective in maintaining student gains and more costly than has been claimed. Offers…

This article reviews the literature on conflict resolution skills and applies it to local interagency coordinating councils attempting to coordinate services to young children with special needs and their families. Six dimensions (climate, people, resources, agency, process, and policies) of the collaborative process are identified. (Author/DB)

This article outlines principles of support services for families of children with disabilities. It then considers characteristics of parents of young children who are deaf/hard of hearing (e.g., gender, hearing status, socioeconomic status, and cultural/linguistic status) and child characteristics (age at diagnosis, hearing level, and additional…