A study of 8,696 infants and toddlers eligible for early intervention services in North Carolina from 1991-1996 found the majority were identified as having a developmental delay, with the mean age of entry into the system at approximately 17 months. Notable trends included an increase in parent referrals. (Contains references.) (CR)

This paper presents the requirements for family participation on multidisciplinary teams under Public Law 99-457, reviews literature on family participation on teams working with handicapped children, identifies factors that influence team functioning, and suggests how team members can facilitate family involvement. (Author/JDD)

The family is the handicapped infant or toddler's ecological system, is critical to the child's optimal development, and must be incorporated into early intervention programs. Characteristics of the ecosystem of the family of a handicapped child are discussed, followed by characteristics of ecologically attuned early intervention teams. (JDD)

Fifty early childhood special educators and 82 school psychologists responded to questionnaires analyzing the school psychologist's role and potential contributions to early childhood programs. While psychologists viewed their primary responsibility as conducting psychological assessments, educators' greatest expressed need was for assistance with…

Although the proportion of Black men in prison has remained constant over the last 15 years, their numbers have increased dramatically. Since efforts to educate and rehabilitate prisoners are largely ineffective, Black boys must be educated and socialized early in their lives so they won't commit crimes. (WS)

Follow-up testing of 110 children with cognitive and/or language delays who had participated (when ages 3-7) in early intervention programs based on either direct instruction or mediated learning principles found few differential effects by the second year post-intervention, though the overall benefits of early intervention appeared to continue.…

The incidence of congenital hearing loss in the United Kingdom is noted, and the use of a universal behavioral hearing screen at the age of seven or eight months, implemented by Health Visitors, is described. Procedures involved in identification, diagnosis, and management are discussed. (JDD)

This paper discusses concepts of language socialization and their importance to assessment and intervention with culturally diverse children with hearing impairments. It notes that culturally appropriate models of intervention are based on the understanding that ways of talking with children are culturally based and reflect underlying beliefs…

This article offers special educators in early childhood education with guidelines for accommodating variables such as acculturation, preferred interactive and learning behaviors, sociocultural experiences and resources, and language usage and proficiency. Four intervention models (full bilingual, dominant language bilingual, modified single…

The importance of early identification of hearing loss in children and progress toward newborn screening is discussed, along with consequences of delayed identification. The history and status of early screening at national and state levels and specific types of screening methods for bilateral and unilateral sensorineural hearing loss are…

This paper describes the need for and effectiveness of a functional screening and initial assessment system for behavior problems among preschool children, called the Early Screening Project. Critical factors in the assessment of young children with behavior problems include measuring the frequency and intensity of problem behaviors relative to a…

Presents findings from the 18th annual survey of school board members on the topic of their attitudes toward alternative education programs for students. Alternatives to traditional schooling exist for troubled students within the broad public school structure, and almost 9 out of 10 board members say such specialized services should be provided.…

Presents a content analysis of prevention definitions in prevention literature. Examines the pros and cons of the traditional trilogy (primary, secondary, and tertiary) of prevention definitions, along with a description of key concepts, such as end-states, timing, targets, and eligibility criteria. Proposes a conceptual alternative to the…

Comparison of 72 middle and 72 low socioeconomic status (SES) families of infants with developmental disabilities, on measures of maternal stress and infant development, found that regression analyses predicted 81% of the variance in later developmental level from initial Bayley Mental Age, initial Mental Development Index, SES, initial maternal…

This article reviews the positive influence fathers can have on their children's development, as well as the impact the father-child relationship can have on the father's personal well-being and satisfaction. Strategies are provided for facilitating inclusion of fathers in early intervention service delivery, including involvement in play and…