The Autism Research Institute says autism-like disorders affect 15 out of 10,000 children. Cases are climbing in schools, partly due to expanded diagnostic codes (see sidebar). Autistic children are often misdiagnosed as having attention-deficit, learning, or emotional disorders. Schools can help by providing good teachers and early intervention.…

Data are presented from two studies that investigated short- and long-term outcomes of early identification and intervention for young children from birth to age 3. Results from the studies support the immediate and longer-term benefits of early entry into intervention for language, academic, and social-emotional development. (Contains extensive…

This project evaluated the effectiveness of the Treatment and Education of Autistic and related Communication handicapped CHildren (TEACCH) home program intervention model for young children with autism, which encourages parents to be active, ongoing co-therapists. The 11 children in the treatment group, compared to the control, improved…

This paper explores influences of economic factors on sociocultural aspects of traditional, industrial, and "transitional" societies, with India an example of a transitional society. Links between socioeconomic contexts, child-rearing goals and practices, and early intervention programs are considered. Child-rearing goals and practices…

Discusses issues and challenges inherent in early research in the field of intervention and prevention of conduct disorders, including recruiting and working with parents who are stressed by the effects of poverty; designing appropriate interventions for young children; and using outcomes measures that reflect developmental continuities, subject…

Describes reasons why therapists may hesitate to address the needs of children when treating parents with Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) (formerly Multiple Personality Disorder). Summarizes the literature supporting assessment of these children, relates clinical observations on the potential impact of DID on children, and suggests…

Reports on a primary preventive intervention that prevents future chemical dependency in children (N=57). Results indicate substantial increases in internal locus of control, frustration tolerance, and assertive social skills, along with decreases in acting-out behavior. Findings suggest that school social workers can provide effective…

Traces the development of a deficit perspective of low-income, nonmainstream families through a historical review of parent involvement in kindergarten, preschool programs, and various at-risk early childhood programs. Both covert and overt deficit perspectives toward low-income families have prevented early intervention programs from fully…

Examined whether early intervention programs aimed at promoting the attainments of children with disabilities change the nature of the parent-child interaction. Finds that mothers adjust their vocal patterns when interacting with disabled children based on the nature of the interaction and age of the child. Notes implications for intervention…

Presents two studies documenting the use of the Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) for 31 preschool children with severe disabilities. Initial findings indicated the children could learn to use PECS quickly and efficiently. The second study, which included 18 participants, found that PECS use generalized to untrained settings. (Author/CR)

A study involving seven early childhood and special education teachers found they tended to use the naturalistic intervention strategy, embedding, in a limited capacity. They embedded objectives by asking questions and providing verbal models and used embedding most when they were one-on-one and engaged in language programming and pre-academic…

This article refutes 10 myths and identifies literature that supports service delivery to infants and toddlers with disabilities in natural settings. The benefits of naturalistic intervention, home-based services, and family-centered services are discussed, and concerns regarding therapist shortages, ethical problems, personal safety of providers,…

This article describes an early intervention model for enhancing developmental opportunities for a child with a disability by expanding on and strengthening the parent-child relationship in a group environment. The theoretical underpinnings and components of the Parents Interacting with Infants model are discussed, along with practice indicators…

This article reports the findings from two research studies that investigated (1) the early intervention and referral practices knowledge of physicians (n=556) and (2) the practices of 32 Virginia Local Interagency Coordinating Council coordinators. Seventy-five percent of physicians felt knowledgeable about early intervention. Strategies to…

A brief history is provided of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), a treatment option for infants that provides prolonged circulation and reoxgenation of blood outside the body to temporarily support a failing heart or lungs. The University of Kentucky ECMO program is described, along with the positive outcomes of 19 infants. (Contains…